Blog Tag: airborne allergens

It has been repeated many times online and in articles in every type of publication that we tend to not become fearful of things we can not see. And yet, the biggest challenge we have as humans is the transmission of airborne viruses that affect everyone multiple times in their lives. From the yearly Flu bug to Covid 19 and the Common Cold, all of these airborne viruses are constantly searching for a warm host to stay alive and grow.

For many of the airborne viruses there are anti-viral shots available to either eliminate your chances of getting it or minimizing the symptoms if you do get sick. For some reason, there are a number of groups ( all non-medical ) that constantly provide warnings about the various bad side affects of getting injections for all types of viruses. This has created a huge problem for the medical industry as more people are getting sick and in many cases requires them to be hospitalized. In many cases these anti-immunization groups even target mumps, measles and now polio. 

Yes, viruses are extremely small and not visible with the naked eye, but they can be and are significantly reduced or eliminated using filters such as HEPA and SULPA filters. These filters capture airborne viruses and are used in medical facilities around the world. Some of these HEPA systems are available to homeowners and small businesses here in the U.S. Since Covid, the increase use of these type of systems in commercial and institutional environments has doubled. However, with the public continuing to deny the value of anti-virual serems, the challenge to the public will continue to grow.

Pure Air Systems manufactures a line of HEPA and Carbon based, fan powered air filtration systems. These range in capacity from 50 CFM to 2000 CFM. These all metal units utilize the latest in variable speed motor and digital controllers to meet any application. For more information please go to our website;  http://www.pureairsystems.com  or call us on our toll free number; 800-869-8025.

HEPA filters are the best method of removing sub-micron airborne contaminants including, viruses, bacteria, dust particles and airborne allergens ( mold, pollen, etc.).

One of the challenges of using HEPA filters in a residential application is how the HEPA filter is installed to best gather the greatest amount of airborne particles from all rooms of the home. Most air filters in residential HVAC systems are either placed in the air returns for each room or one largepr filter is placed at the return air inlet of the main HVAC fan unit. 

Since HEPA filters have a much higher resistance to air flow than standard duty air filters, they need to be placed in a cabinet that includes its own blower/motor section to assist the air flow through the HVAC system so there is no disruption to the air flow from the HVAC unit. 

Pure Air Systems developed a HEPA filtration system that incorporated its own blower/motor unit along with a true commercial grade HEPA filter, prefilter and carbon media filter. This metal framed housing unit could be attached to the return air side of the HVAC system in what is called a “partial pass” concept. In essence, the HEPA system would pull anywhere from 600 CFM up to 2000 CFM of the return air ( the later used mostly in commercial systems) and then return it back into the HVAC system on the supply side. In this manner the HEPA system would clean all the air in the house after the 3rd or 4th pass. Or, approximately 30 to 50 times  day, depending on how often the HVAC fan system runs.

The PAS units all utililze the newer variable speed drive, digitially controlled motors that can be programmed to operate in sync with any HVAC system.

For more information on the complete line of HEPA and Carbon systems please go to our website at: http://www.pureairsystems.com   or call us on our toll-free number at:  800-869-8025.

If you live in a part of the country where the summer months bring high humidity along with the heat, then your indoor living environment needs adequate air conditioning to maintain healthy living. 

High amounts of humidity (moisture) will condense out on cold surfaces and can become a breading ground for mold. If the moisture gets into a crawl space or attic area that is not conditioned, this area can also be a potential place for mold to grow. 

Aside from efficient air conditioning, the home envelope should be under positive pressure. This means that when the HVAC system fan is running, the air pressure inside the home should be slightly higher than the external air pressure. This ensures the home will always be expelling a small amount of air and keeping outside moisture, heat and humidity from entering the home. If the home air balance is not correct, the negative affect of outside air intrusion into the home will far outweigh a good heating/cooling system.

In addition, good filtration should be part of your HVAC system. Whether you use good filters on the return air grills or a good media filter at the fan unit, filters can significantly minimize the levels of airborne dust and the potential for mold build up on interior surfaces.

For more information on the complete line of HEPA based air filtration systems, please go to our website at: http://www.pureairsystems.com   or call us on our toll-free number at:  800-869-8025.

3D Printing or Additive Manufacturing as it is called in the commercial market, has moved into almost every facet of manufacturing from small replacement parts and dental fittings up to Aerospace and Military applications. There are very large 3D printers making boats as well as printing houses and large structures and small bridges.

3D printing has a number of advantages including the ability to try the “what if” and prototyping of new design concepts. In addition, the materials available for the metal printers has moved this process in the main stream of manufacturing. 3D Printers take up much less space than traditional CNC machines and other fabrication systems and require fewer people to complete the manufacturing process.

One of the main advantages of using 3D manufacturing is the ability to get younger people to become more involved with manufacturing. The younger generation is very familiar with and is good at using CAD type software for design and 3D printing of parts. In truth, the ability to make things using 3D printing or Additive Manufacturing is not considered manufacturing to the younger generation. This is important as they are not interested in moving into the old type of making things. 

Pure Air Systems, an air filtration company started in 1985, has bee using some 3D printing processes for prototyping new parts for their metal housed HEPA based air filtration systems. This helps them more quickly determine the correct part design and more quickly complete the final design and get into production with minimal cost.

For more information on the complete line of HEPA and Carbon filters please go to our website at: http://www.pureairsystems.com   or call us on our toll free number at: 800-869-8025.

Our eyes allow us to focus on and see airborne particles as small as 20 microns. For comparison, the human hair is about 100 microns in diameter. Most bacteria are in the range of less than 1 to 5 microns in size and viruses are less than 0.12 microns in size. So the old adage that what you don’t see won’t hurt you is not correct.

Bacteria, when present in a warm, moist environment, can stay alive for very long periods of time. From many hours to days. Because it is heavier than viruses it will not stay airborne for very long. So most contact with bacteria comes from contact with a surface or body part that caries the bacteria.

Viruses, on the other hand, are very tiny and light and can stay airborne for long period of time. This is how the flu and cold bugs are normally transmitted. Coming in a room or close contact where these viruses are airborne can infect another human once the viruses are inhaled and ingested. This is the reason masks are used in all medical facilities, especially surgical units.

For information on the complete line of HEPA and Carbon filters manufactured by Pure Air Systems, please go to our website at:  http://www.pureairsystems.com   or call us on our toll-free number at, 800-869-8025.

The Covid issue has been dissected by everyone in every discipline including social media. The fact remains that Covid is virus and like all other viruses it is extremely small ( less than .012 microns in size ) and easily transmitted through the air. While the various types of face masks that are available are not truly capable of removing 100% of the airborne viruses, they can significantly minimize the levels of virus ingestion. 

In 1985 Pure Air Systems introduced an air filtration system utilizing true, commercial grade HEPA filters for the residential and commercial markets. These fan powered systems are capable of either being attached to existing HVAC systems or stand-alone. 

HEPA filters are used in all hospital surgery suites, laboratories, pharmaceutical companies, chip manufacturing and more. These filters are specially designed to remove airborne particles as small as viruses and are extremely efficient over their life. The type of filter media used in the HEPA filters is partially copied in some of the new face masks now on the market. Then N95 mask is one of them.

It is important to know that the viruses that are now out in the world are extremely capable of changing and adapting to new drugs and pharmaceuticals, therefore making them around as long as we inhabit this planet.

For more information on the complete line of HEPA and Carbon based air filtration systems please go to our website at:  http://www.pureairsystems.com    or call us on out toll-free number at 800-869-8025.

One of the strongest allergens is pet dander, especially cat dander and their reactions can be from mild irritation to full-blown respiratory distress. Dander is basically skin flakes that are shed by any animal, including humans. 

These skin flakes can be airborne for short periods of time but usually too heavy to be carried by the air currents in any home or building environment for any period of time. If a cat or dog is running through the house and runs by someone who is allergic to dander, there may be enough dander in the air to cause a reaction. If that person comes in contact with the animal then the dander can attach itself to their clothing or is discarded on the furniture from where they may lay. Once the person inhales the skin flakes their specific allergic reaction will begin and may last for a number of hours or all day. 

Because the dander is not always airborne, the air filters in your return air intake will not see much of that airborne particulate. It is often better to use a portable air filter such as a HEPA filter that uses a fan to pull the air through the room. These can be placed in a bedroom or family room, preferably where the animals do not often track. This will keep that area cleaner and a more significantly reduced level of animal dander.

Pure Air Systems offers a small, powerful, adjustable speed HEPA filter unit that is only 21 inches long and 13 inches square. It can move up to 500 CFM and has a variable speed motor for infinite air flow adjustment. It is easy to carry and can be placed on a table or even the floor if necessary. Putting a filtration device in a area that is considered a safe zone for humans offers the best option for keeping animal dander to a minimum.

For more information on the complete line of HEPA and Carbon based air filtration systems please go to our website at:  http://www.pureairsystems.com   or call us on our toll-free number at:800-869-8025.

In 1985, Don Musilli founded a company to sell high end HEPA air filtration systems to the residential market. HEPA filtration at that time was somewhat limited to the micro-chip manufacturing industry, asbestos abatement companies, medical operations and some industrial applications. The residential market was using standard pleated, card board box framed general duty filtration media filters or electronic air cleaners. These air filters were located either in the main return air grills or at the point where all the return air entered the main air handler ( HVAC unit ) and were designed primarily to remove very large airborne particles and to keep the cooling coils and fan blades clean.They did little to remove the smaller, respirable sized particulate that could create health issues for many homeowners.

Whether we are indoors or outside, we are breathing air that contains various sizes of particulate. The larger particles. those that you can see with the naked eye, are usually 20 microns in size of larger. ( for comparison, your hair is 100 microns in diameter ). These larger particles are aspirated into our lungs and the majority of them are exhaled out. The smaller, sub-micron particles however, ( those less than 20 microns in size ) tend to stay logged in the lung linings and mucus membranes. These smaller particles may represent a wide range of organic and inorganic materials including pollen, pet dander, ragweed, bacteria, viruses and industrial pollution. For those individuals that suffer from allergies many of these airborne particulate are the primary cause of their respiratory dysfunctions.

Pure Air Systems pioneered the use of HEPA filtration systems with their first model 600H unit.that included a true, scanned HEPA filter rated at 99.99% removal of all particles 0.3 microns and larger, a wire framed ring panel prefilter ( to keep the HEPA clean ) and a true carbon filter to remove odors and gases. These systems were designed to attach to the return air side of a ducted HVAC system using the partial by-pass concept. This unique concept allowed homeowners, for the first time, to use a true HEPA filter system on a residential HVAC unit. These HEPA systems cleane all the air in the house up to 24 times a day and remove a very large percentage of the sub-micron, airborne particulate. 

Thirty Four years later, PAS has added 6 more HEPA, fan powered, air filtration systems to its stable and over 10,000 of these units have been installed in homes and offices across the U.S. and Canada. For more information on the complete line of HEPA and Carbon based air filtration systems please go to our website at:  https://www.pureairsystems.com    or call us on our toll-free number at: 800-869-8025.  

For those individuals who live along the South West coast of Florida, this year has been especially challenging with the long last issues caused by Red Tide. This algae bloom is a common occurrence during the summer months and often begins out in the Gulf of Mexico. This year the Algae bloom has been larger and extends from Naples up to Tampa Bay. In addition, the blooms are toxic and kill sea life and produce an airborne bacteria that is harmful and potentially fatal to humans.

In 1985, Pure Air Systems was founded to bring true HEPA based air filtration systems to the residential market. These fan powered, metal housed units, are capable of providing surgery suite environments in all types of buildings and for all types of airborne contaminant applications. These true, commercial grade, scanned HEPA filters can remove up to 99.99% of all particles 0.3 microns and larger.

In the case of the Florida Red Tide issue, there are many days when the number of dead fish on the shore which produce a significant odor and also a release of toxic bacteria into the air which is blown onto shore and into the populated areas when the prevailing winds are out of the West. By applying the HEPA based technology used in the Pure Air Systems air filtration units, businesses and home owners along this stretch of shore line could effectively and safely remove a very high percentage of this airborne particulate and protect the health of those that live and work in this area.

The HEPA based air filtration systems offered by Pure Air Systems consist of small portables with volumes up to 350 CFM to large commercial units with volumes up to 2,000 CFM. PAS also utilizes variable speed drive motors so they can control the air volumes for 1 to 100% in 1% increments to provide the correct amount of air flow for the application. PAS units are used in the residential, commercial, institutional, medical and industrial markets.

For more information on the complete line of HEPA and Carbon based air filtration systems please go to our website at:  https://www.pureairsystems.com    or call us on our toll free number at 800-869-8025. 

For those people who live and work in colder climates, the amount of time you spend indoors is proportionally more than those individuals who live in warmer climates. In addition colder air is much drier than warm moist air and as a result dust particles and other airborne contaminants tend to stay suspended in air for much longer periods of time.

As humans we inhale large quantities of air every time we take a breath. All of that air is filtered through our mucus membranes and lung linings and a large portion of the particulate are ( those particles larger than 20 microns ) air filtered out and most often projected out of the body when exhaling.

The smaller particles, those under 20 microns and especially those sub-micron particles, are trapped in the lung linings and not exhaled. They are absorbed by the body and then flushed out of the body. However, some of those particulate may be harmful to the body and these may be airborne viruses or bacteria or perhaps some other type of airborne contaminant. Collecting these particulate is what Pure Air Systems does with their HEPA based air filtration systems.

Started in 1985, Pure Air Systems created a line of Air Filters that specifically used true, commercial grade, scanned HEPA filters in all their systems. HEPA filters are the most effective mechanical device for removing 99.99% of all particles 0.3 microns or lager and approaching 99.98% at particles as small as 0.12 microns in size.

These HEPA systems are all fan powered and use the newer ECM variable speed drive motors so they can be used on 120/240 volt 50/60Hz electrical systems and used any where in the world.

The systems range in capacity from 50 CFM ( Cubic Foot Per Minute) up to 2,000 CFM. They can be used either attached to an existing ducted HVAC system in the by-pass configuration or as stand-alone units. These Air Filtration systems can be used in residential, commercial, institutional, medical and industrial applications.

For more information on the complete line of HEPA based Air Filtration systems please go to our website at: https://www.pureairsystems.com  or call us on our toll-free number at: 800-869-8025.