Let air filtration take the strain

OPERATING THEATRE
Air filtration should be at the forefront of dealing with indoor air quality in hospitals, with high-efficiency filtration being crucial in areas such as operating theatres.
What you cannot see in indoor air is what you should be concerned about. GRAHAM BENTLEY explains the role of the wide variety of air filtration that is available.ir filtration is the first line of defence in achieving indoor air health. HVAC manufacturers, ventilation-system designers, and mechanical contractors need to promote air filtration as an equal partner in the delivery of air for the comfort and health of people who occupy the workplace. The problems associated with poor indoor air quality (IAQ) include asthma and breathing problems, skin irritation and headaches — to name just a few. However, improving air quality can be quickly and easily achieved through better filtration design, application and maintenance. Flawed thinking Lack of understanding or concern for the role air filtration plays in providing indoor health in homes, schools, and workplaces is rooted in a solitary piece of flawed thinking — what you cannot see cannot hurt you. You can see particles larger than 10 µm in size, but a particle that size needs a sharp eye and a bright beam of light to be seen. Unseen to the naked eye are billions of smaller particles that blow right through the standard filters in most workplaces. These particles mass over time and become part of our world. They can be annoying, irritating, infectious, and, to some people, quite toxic. Air filtration offers the means to obtain levels of particulate cleanliness required within the definition of air conditioning. It extends from preventing lint and other debris clogging heating/cooling coils to removing particles as small as 0.1 µm, which can cause a short circuit on a microchip. Complete air cleaning involves the removal of three major substances: inert particles; micro-organisms; and gaseous pollutants (including odours). Inert particles include soot, smoke particles, silica, clay, decayed animal and vegetable matter, lint and plant fibres. Micro-organisms include pollen, plant spores, moulds, bacteria and viruses. Gaseous pollutants include formaldehyde, nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide.
Some filters are specifically designed for removing odours and fumes.
Air filters remove these particles and in addition to providing a more hygienic environment also protect décor by removing the staining from airborne dust and fumes, reduce maintenance of building interiors by reducing the frequency of washing items such as venetian blinds and fluorescent bulbs. It also eliminates fire hazards by removing lint and other materials that might accumulate in ductwork. Vital constituent The improvement of air quality in healthcare settings is a vital constituent of modern airborne hygiene procedures. Air filtration should be at the forefront in dealing with IAQ in hospitals. Because the vast majority of microbes are associated with particles, air filtration becomes an attractive solution to preventing spread of infection. The air quality requirements in healthcare settings vary from department to department and, often, even from room to room. Some areas require high-efficiency filtration of airborne micro-organisms to protect patients, staff and visitors (e.g. in operation suites, ICUs, TB isolation rooms), whereas other areas require the filtration of gaseous contaminants, chemicals and odours to provide a safer and more pleasant working environment (e.g. in laboratories, autopsy rooms, dental surgeries and pharmacies). It is thus essential that only very-high-quality filters are installed in these environments. Specialist filter manufactures produce a wide range of filters to cater for every type of environment — from kitchens to operating theatres. Filters available include HEPA absolute filters, to filters for spray booths, mini pleat and neat pleat filters, mesh and baffle grease filters, bag filters even filter housings and filter media on the roll. Technical advice With such an array of filters available, it is important to ensure that the right filter is fitted for a specific application. Technical advice on filtration and odour reduction should be readily available from the manufacturer. For example, a kitchen will require specialist grease filters, whilst an operating theatre will need HEPA filters capable of trapping particles down to 0.1 µm. Recently, increasingly stringent national and European environmental legislation on air quality has resulted in the development of new filters to remove and reduce odours and chemical fumes from the workplace. These filters combine a blend of high-grade carbon and alumina/potassium permanganate that destroys odours, corrosive gases and fumes such as ammonia, arsine, ethylene, formaldehyde, hydrogen sulphide, nitrogen dioxide and oxide and sulphur dioxide as well as contaminants normally treated with standard carbon products. Since most people spend most of their time indoors, the possibility of exposure to chemical or biological contaminants in buildings is widespread. IAQ problems typically fall into one of the following categories: sick building syndrome (SBS); building-related illness (BRI); and multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS). Poor ventilation, moisture intrusion, improper chemical storage and/or use are all conditions allowing for IAQ problems. Increased awareness of IAQ issues has been exacerbated lately because of the confined spaces of many buildings built in the last few decades. Inescapable conclusion Air filtration can play an important role in protecting staff from airborne contaminants. The inescapable conclusion is that air filtration, coupled with air balancing and proper system hygiene, are the best means of reducing and controlling infections, improving working conditions and creating a much happier and healthier workforce. Graham Burley is a director of Jasun Filtration Ltd, Unit 2B/2C, Yeo Road, Bridgwater, Somerset TA6 5NA.
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