Blog Tag: HEPA Filtration Systems

Antibiotic resistance is the ability of bacteria or other microbes to resist the effects of an antibiotic. Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria changes in some way that reduces or eliminates the effectiveness of drugs, chemicals, or other agents designed to cure or prevent infections. The bacteria survive and continue to multiply causing more harm.

Antibiotic resistance has been called one of the world’s most pressing public health problems. Almost every type of bacteria has become stronger and less responsive to antibiotic treatment when it is really needed. These antibiotic-resistant bacteria can quickly spread to family members, schoolmates, and co-workers- threatening the community with a new strain of infectious disease that is more difficult to cure and more expensive to treat. Recently reports that a new strain of TB has become resistant to all known antibiotics designed to kill the TB bacteria has caused great concern throughout the medical industry.

HEPA filters have been around since 1941. Originally designed to protect the scientists working with radioactive material during the development of the atomic bomb, HEPA filters and their sisters  Scanned HEPA, ULPA and SULPA filters are the only non-mechanical air filtration medias capable of removing almost 100% of all bacteria and up to 90% of some viruses. HEPA filters are used by hospitals, clinics, laboratories, clean rooms, the CDC and the military. For absolute removal of harmful sub-micron particles nothing works as well as HEPA filter media.

Pure Air Systems has been manufacturing true HEPA based air filtration systems since 1985. These systems are being used in the commercial, institutional, industrial, medical and residential markets and in applications across the North America, Asia and Europe. Designed to be used either attached to existing HVAC systems or as stand-alone units, the HEPA systems by Pure Air Systems are considered the most effective, durable, technically advanced units on the market today.

Many of the customers that use the PAS units are operations that deal with protecting patients or medical personnel from airborne pathogens and allergens. Hospitals have isolation rooms or wards where either immuno-supressed patients or patients with communicable diseases are treated. HEPA systems are used in these applications because they offer the greatest protection for all concerned parties. PAS also has a number of units in correctional or Homeland Security type operations where indigents and illegal aliens are detained, some of whom may carry the TB bacteria or other airborne transmitted diseases.

PAS makes a range of sizes in their HEPA line up. The new HPS series portable units are being used by commercial customers as well as many home owners. Since all the the HEPA systems are capable of being used either in conjunction with the existing heating/cooling systems or as stand-alone units, there are few areas where the PAS HEPA systems can’t be employed.  Repeat purchases of the units from many of the customers is a true testimonial to the superior performance and reliability of the PAS HEPA systems.

For more information on the complete line of HEPA and Carbon based air filtration systems offered by Pure Air Systems please go to our website at: www.pureairsystems.com or like us on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pureairsystems or follow us on Twitter @pureairsytems. Of course you can also call us during normal working hours on our toll-free number at: 800-869-8025.

Portable HEPA units have been around since the early 80’s. The majority of the early versions were round, using a doughnut shaped HEPA filter, wrapped with a prefilter/carbon media to capture the larger particles. The blower/motor was inside the HEPA and pulled the dirty air through the HEPA through slots or holes located  in the outside of the case and the clean air exited through the bottom.

Most of the early versions had three speed motors so you could adjust the volume of air based upon the size of the room or amount of noise you could tolerate. The air volume movement for the units, as measured in CFM, ranged from 50 CFM to 250 CFM. However two major problems occurred with these units. First, any speed setting above the lowest one created enough noise to make you slit your wrists…twice. Second, the rated air flows never approached the stated CFM volumes from the manufacturers. This meant you had to run the system at its lowest setting if you were in the room and then it would take a very long time to clean all the air in that room. But they were the only game in town.

Subsequent portable HEPA units were not much better. Where the original was made from metal and heavy duty plastics, the newer units, mostly imported from overseas, were all plastic. They were just as noisy as the first units but were less expensive and the replacement filters were cheaper. These units used what was called, faux HEPA filters. They were not certified or designed using any of the certified HEPA filter rating systems but they were still called HEPA units. The public had little choice to purchase these if they want HEPA filtration for their indoor environment.

Pure Air Systems was started in 1985 and from the beginning used only commercial grade, certified, metal framed HEPA filters in their systems. Over the years PAS developed a range of larger units using variable speed, digitally controlled motors that could move from 100 CFM to 2000 CFM of HEPA filtered air. And do it rather quietly. These systems were designed to be attached to existing HVAC systems or be used as stand-alone  units.

In 2005 PAS began working on the design for a new portable HEPA unit that would be a commercial grade, powerful and quiet unit with air flow volumes two to three times the levels of the current units on the market. These systems had to be small and light enough to be easily transported and be rugged enough to with stand the abuse of use in commercial and institutional environments. After 16 months of trial and error the HPS 350 and HPS 500 were born. The most powerful and effective true HEPA portable units on the market today.

For more information on the technical specifications you can go here and find out all about the HPS series by Pure Air Systems. You can also follow us on Twitter @pureairsystems or call us on our toll free number at: 800-869-8025.

For most children the ability to explore their surroundings  is usually conditional to the restraints put on by  their parents…more often than not, their Mother.  Most children have more energy than they know what to do with and running is one way of using that energy. “Don’t run,” is the most often constraint placed on kids. A large number of accidents occur when children run with abandon. It is, however, more challenging when children run with something sharp in their hands….like scissors.

Telling someone not to do something because it may cause them harm often falls on deaf ears until that person has an unfortunate experience with that specific situation. Learning the hard way is often the only way for some.

For people who have severe allergies or companies and technicians who want to control their environment, the use of sub-standard air filtration systems and devices is not uncommon. The decision, however, to use  a filtration device that will not remove the small, sub-micron sized particles to minimize or reduce the allergy problems is as dangerous as running with scissors. Sooner or later something bad will happen.

Over the counter allergy medicine is at best, psychologically helpful. Most of these are anti-histamines and will provide minimal relief, usually just masking the symptoms. Removal of the allergens or removing yourself from the source of the allergens is the only way to really provide some relief. Just like allowing the child to still hold the scissors but not allow them to run, is only a partial solution to the problem.

General duty air filters that are found in your HVAC return or in your return air grills are good for removing large particles and then only when the air handler fan is running. During the off cycles nothing is being pulled through the filters. It is always best to have your fan setting on the thermostat set on run. While this uses a little more electricity, in the long run it will maintain a more even temperature in all rooms of the home or office and keep the air moving toward and through the air filters. This process alone of running the fan continuously is helpful even if you are using standard air filters.

Pure Air Systems has been manufacturing HEPA and Carbon based air filtration systems since 1985. These commercial grade, certified HEPA systems are used in the residential, commercial, institutional, medical and high-tech manufacturing markets around the world. These systems incorporate some of the most effective and advanced motor and controller devices available on the market today.

Using HEPA filers or HEPA based air filtration systems is still the most effective method of removing the respirable size airborne allergens. The difference in reduction of these particles in using the HEPA filters rather than standard duty air filters is significant. In cases where PAS customers have switched to a HEPA filtration system, over 80% of those with significant allergies found they slept better, had fewer symptoms and needed fewer or no additional allergy medications.

For more information on the complete line of HEPA and Carbon based air filtration systems please go to our website at: www.pureairsystems.com. Or follow us on Twitter: @purairsystems. You can also reach us on our toll-free number. 800-869-8025.

For most people the word hospital conjures up a feeling of safety, help, relief, life saving and comfort. The doctors and nurses are highly trained and skilled at providing medical treatment for any type of physical trauma, disease or malady. The operating rooms are filled with  the most advanced diagnostic and surgical equipment money can buy. The rooms are all under positive pressure using 100% HEPA filtered air to eliminate the possibility of infection. During the operation you are protected by this very sterile environment. However, once you leave the operating room everything changes.

Depending upon which source you use, post operative infections account for over 100,000 deaths in the US every year. This does not include the number of patients  affected that have to return to the hospital or require follow-up treatment to deal with infections incurred while being treated in the hospital. And there is a good reason to be concerned. Treating some of the infections has been challenged by bacteria that have become resistant to all the standard antibiotics. But there is one way to minimize the expensive and devastating consequences of post operative infections.

As noted in the beginning of this blog the operating rooms utilize HEPA filters to eliminate the possibility of any airborne pathogens that may pose a potential risk for infection. Often some recovery rooms for patients the have received bone marrow transplants or have a weakened immune system due to a specific treatment, use HEPA filtered air in the rooms and these rooms, like operating rooms, are pressurized.

Pure Air Systems has been manufacturing HEPA and Carbon based, commercial grade air filtration systems since 1985. They use only certified, scanned HEPA filters in their heavy duty, all steel housed systems. The PAS units also incorporate the ECM style variable speed motors that are rated 120/240 volt, 50/60 Hz motors. These motors not only use less electricity but can be digitally controlled for best air flow to match required filtration performance.

The PAS HEPA systems are used in many commercial applications and a large number are utilized by hospitals, clinics and medical facilities in the U.S. and around the world. These compact, high volume units can both pressurize and provide 100% HEPA filtered air in medium sized operating rooms as well as isolation rooms and individual patient rooms. For medical facilities requiring a cost effective method for minimizing or eliminating infections in their facilities, the PAS units offer superior performance at a cost that is considerably less than the cost of treating patients with severe infections.

Today, over 60% of the PAS HEPA systems are used in the residential and light commercial markets. For patients returning home from long hospital stays using one of the various central HEPA systems by PAS can be of significant value. Also, PAS makes a unique, high volume portable HEPA unit that can be used effectively in any single room application. In either case, these HEPA systems can make the difference between a significant recovery or continued treatment for infection.

For more information on the complete line of HEPA and Carbon based filtration systems please go to our website at: www.pureairsystems.com . Or you can reach us on Twitter: @pureairsystems. Call us during normal business hours on our toll-free number. 800-869-8025.

In 1954 Alfred Hitchcock directed the movie “Dial M For Murder” starring Ray Miland, Grace Kelly and Robert Cummings.  The story is about a husband who carefully plans to have his wife murdered. If the plot goes as planned the wife is gone and the husband is never suspected. As with many ideas, controlling all aspects of the concept often is seldom accomplished.

In the world where air pollution and airborne contaminants are a common occurrence, it is interesting to see how many individuals, maintenance companies, contractors and IAQ professionals under estimate the ability to control the levels of these contaminants. The initial plan often include using the least expensive filters or filtration device as many mistakenly believe one type of air filter is as good as another. This is seldom true.

One of the common mistakes is to only look at the particles we can see with the naked eye as the harmful contaminants. The irony is that particles you can see with the naked eye are about 20 microns or larger. Most of the particles that are harmful or that are aspirated into the lungs are less than 10 microns in size. These tiny particles are not easily trapped in general duty filter media, which are typically the type used when attempting to provide a cleaner environment.

Most HVAC systems use filter racks located in return air grills. These are normally the place for standard pleated media or ring panel filters and typically have a low MERV rating. (usually  MERV 5 to 7) These air filters will capture almost all of the 20 micron particles but their efficiency drops off dramatically as the size of the particles gets smaller. The other variable to take into consideration is the resistance of the filters relative to their overall efficiency.

The standard air filters used in most HVAC systems have a lower efficiency but also a lower pressure drop or resistance. This is important in the scheme of things as putting in a more resistant filter would reduce the air flow. On the up side though, they would be more effective in removing the harmful airborne contaminants.

HEPA filters are extremely effective at removing very high percentages of extremely small particles, those particles that are truly harmful. Their standard efficiency is 99.97% at o.3 microns. For comparison, the standard air filters used in most HVAC systems are approximately 15% to 20% effective at removing these tiny particles and that only takes place close to the time they have to be replaced.

Because of the design of HEPA filters, they are normally part of a system or package that also includes another blower/motor assembly to assist in moving the air across the HEPA as well as picking up the additional resistance across the filter. For this reason most HEPA filter systems are attached in a partial bypass mode to the HVAC ducting systems so no additional resistance is added to the entire air handling unit.

Pure Air Systems has been making HEPA and Carbon based air filtration systems for over 26 years. They have a HEPA system that will work for any type of environment and any kind of HVAC system. Even for areas where no ventilation systems exist. For more information on their complete line of HEPA and Carbon based units please go to their website at: www.pureairsystems.com or on Twitter @pureairsystems. You can also call them on their toll free line. 800-869-8025.

There are hundreds of thousands of blogs posted every day online and almost 90% of all newspaper and magazine articles are actually blogs or produced from blogs. You would think with everyone using computers with spell check software on which they are writing these blogs that they would actually use the software to check their spelling. And some do. Unfortunately the software doesn’t check for correct word usage.

Take the title of this blog for example. This is a term often used in sentences and usually means totally frustrated or not worth doing anymore. However, the way this title is written its’ meaning is somewhat different. Utter futility I can understand….udder futility must have something to do with a non-functioning or frustrated cow or goat, I guess….. Right church, wrong pew.

Companies often use this “play on words” approach to get your attention. It is, in many ways, a rather childish way to get your attention. But it works. If you have read this far you know what I mean. It would seem to me that if your product or service really has any value you wouldn’t stoop to using this type of marketing ploy. But we are.

Pure Air Systems has been making commercial grade, HEPA and Carbon based air filtration systems since 1985. Over the past 26 years we have had to continually convince the market that true, certified HEPA filters were vastly superior to standard air filters and anything calling itself an air “purifier.” The use of that term was really, and never has been, correct. Nothing actually purifies the air. You can heat it, cool it, blow it, suck it, stir it, move it and filter it. But not really purify it. That connotes making the air pristine and totally void of any impurities.

Yet, the term purifier continues to linger on. Why, we really don’t know. Maybe it just sounds like it does more…..purify versus filter. Maybe its like saying you want a women or man who is pure of heart rather than someone whom needs to filter what they say. Don’t know. But we use it.

The problem with using the term air purifier in front of the filtering device you are promoting, is everyone uses that term. Whether it’s an electronic air cleaner, ozone generator or ionic cleaner….they all use the word purifier some where in the title of the product. First of all none of the three devices just mentioned actually purify the air….in fact none of these devices do much to filter the air. Sorry if you bought one or sell them. We only tell it like it is. It is the Udder Truth.

For more information on the complete line of HEPA and Carbon based filtration systems please go to our website at: www.pureairsystems.com, or follow us on Twitter; @pureairsystems. You can also call us, toll-free; 800-869=8025.

“Play on words” has been a popular tool of writers and journalists since newspapers were in print. The title of this blog, for example, is taken from some family get together’s when I was a young man. It seems there were a lot of what I call “goofy” phrases used in the early 50’s. This title is one of them. Maybe you have seen it before ….or heard it used. In either case use of this type of phrasing is a great way to get attention from readers.

In today’s world the vast majority of people get all their information, books, classes and social interaction online. The ability to capture your attention has never been more demanding. Getting someone to read something  for more than 8 seconds is now considered a real coup…and if you can get them to read your entire article, blog or product description you are in rare company.

Telling stories and providing helpful, insightful information seems to be one way to get people to view your material. It is for this reason that many companies now incorporate blogs into their websites, like this one, to provide updated and topical data to the market.

Pure Air Systems has published over 150 blogs in the past two years. Over time the number of people reading the blogs has increased dramatically. But most importantly the blogs provide topical information as well as directing potential customers to our website. This is important as all of the technical and operational information about our HEPA and Carbon based air filtration systems are found there. Whether you are a contractor, end user or engineer, the data you need is located on the website.

In addition to the blogs, a special section on our website is designed to provide general information on all aspects of air filtration, indoor air quality, heating/cooling systems and ventilation. We call it “Pure Air University.”  We believe it is important to offer some basic knowledge on all things IAQ so that the public has the ability to make an informed decision when selecting an air filtration system. The information provided through this section is not designed to sell but rather designed to tell.

After being in business for over 25 years, you learn a lot about what information is important to potential customers. They have seen the hyped marketing materials from many of the companies that sell air filtration or air purifier systems. Many of those companies that sold “gimmick” based technology are no longer in business. It seems no matter what you say or how you say it…performance is the only viable marketing tool. We know this and that is why we are still here. Our systems perform as promised…period. No play on words needed.

For more information on our complete product line please go to our website at: www.pureairsystems.com.  Or call us at: 800-869-8025.

It has been said that advancements in technology doubles every five years. If the changes in digital communications is any indication of what is happening then that statement is probably correct. We used to have a few years, at least, to adapt to and learn to use new devices and processes. Today things are changing every six months. Or so it seems. For some of us the constant changes are exciting. But for many people the rapid changes clash with their thoughts of how things used to be.

While changes in technology will continue to make extraordinary advances, some things don’t change. Health care problems, for example, are still an issue and those people that suffer from allergies, asthma and airborne contaminants seem to be a constant. With all the advancements in medicine, the ability to cure the common cold or eliminate allergy issues continues to evade us. While there are newer anti-histamines and allergy medicines, people still suffer from all the old symptoms.

The changes in air filtration systems designed to eliminate or reduce airborne contaminants have made some advancements. However,  for the most part, the technology  to capture particles on a filtration media is still basically the same. Some technologies such as electronic air cleaners and HEPA filters have been around for over 50 years. HEPA filters, for example, were developed in 1941 and have set the standard for removal of fine, sub-micron airborne particles.

HEPA filters have undergone some major advancements in HEPA paper design. HEPA filters now share the stage with their cousins ULPA and SULPA. While the standard HEPA filter, which has a standard efficiency of removing particles 0.3 microns or less at 99.97%. The ULPA filters and SULPA filters have efficiencies as high as 99.99995% at 0.12 microns.

Pure Air Systems has been using HEPA filters as their standard media since 1985. Today, all of the HEPA filters used in the PAS systems are scanned HEPA filters, meaning they are 99.99% efficient on all particles 0.3 microns or larger. With over 25 years of experience and thousands of systems installed around the world, Pure Air Systems continues to keep the same high performance standards established at their origin.

It is interesting to note that when PAS introduced HEPA filters to the residential and light commercial markets in 1985, few people knew about these filters. Only the electronics and nuclear industries were actually using these filters. Today, Pure Air Systems customer list reads like the Fortune 500. Pharmaceutical, laboratory, military, government, institutional, micro-chip, optical, medical and many other types of companies use the PAS HEPA systems for critical manufacturing and processing operations.

Homeowners who have been dealing with allergy problems have found some relief in utilizing one of the many HEPA systems offered by PAS. The new HPS 350 and HPS 500 portable units now provide the same commercial grade HEPA filtration for small areas and individual rooms in homes and offices. For more information on the complete line of HEPA and Carbon based air filtration systems please go to our website at: www.pureairsystems.com. Or follow us on twitter: @pureairsystems.

The first line of this Limerick almost always raises eye brows and creates a sly smile from the people who hear it spoken. It is interesting to note, that the original Limerick that has this first line goes something like this; There once was a man from Nantucket, Who kept all his cash in a bucket, But his Daughter named Nan, Ran away with a man, And as for the bucket, Nantucket. The original version was written in 1902. The more “ribald” version was written in 1927. Yet it is more famous and memorable than the original Limerick. If you want to read the other version go to Google and write in the title of this blog.

Changes to original works, facts of history and true stories are referred to as revisionism. Some of these changes are done for humor, like the above mentioned Limerick. But most changes of facts are done to mislead, re-direct interest or position ones self to take advantage of lack of knowledge by the general populace. This process is used very often in the business world.

As an example, companies that manufacture air filtration systems use filter medias made by just a handful of suppliers. Many of these air filtration companies will tell you that their particular filter, filtration system or air purifier is superior to their competitors. They rely on people not doing any research and taking for granted that the information provided must be accurate. This is especially true with technical information as people may have a difficult time separating fact from fiction if they have a problem understanding the basic premise of the specific technology.

Pure Air Systems has been manufacturing true HEPA and Carbon based air filtration systems since 1985. All of the filter products and components are commercial grade, certified and tested to ensure they meet the performance needs of their customers. The HEPA filters used by PAS are all tested and certified to by 99.99% efficient on all particles 0.3 microns in size or larger and they even approach this efficiency down to 0.12 microns.

To be sure, the truest test of these statements can only be verified through use of the product. Pure Air Systems has thousands of these systems installed in commercial, institutional, industrial and residential applications around the world. The continued purchase of the PAS systems by old and new customers alike is a testament to the consistent performance of these systems.

For more information on the complete line of PAS products and to learn more about the various types of air filtration products and overall efficiencies as compared to Pure Air Systems, please go to our website at: www.pureairsystems.com.

Some of you may remember the 1959 movie Some Like It Hot with Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemon. The movie wasn’t about heat but about two men who were fleeing the mob and joined an all female band dressed as women. In those days getting into trouble or “hot water” was a typical movie theme. The temperature of the environment was never an issue.

Today we discuss climate changes both heat and cold and their affect on our environment and us. In the US we have a wide variety of climates. The Midwest and Northeast see hot summers and cold winters. The West sees more moderate summer and winter temperatures and the South likes it hot. Over the past 50 years many Americans have opted to move South to escape the frigid cold of the North and enjoy more sunshine. Along with the higher temperatures in the Southern US you also get more humidity.

Humidity, or high percentages of moisture in the air, can make it feel hotter and much more uncomfortable. Often times when you watch the weather they will give you the temperature, humidity and dew point. The dew point temperature is the temperature at which the air can no longer hold all of its water vapor and some of the water must condense into liquid water. This is the moisture you feel on your skin that gives you that standing in a steam bath feeling. The higher the dew point the more free moisture that is in the air. And when this moisture comes in contact with a cooler surface, it condenses.

Higher humidity  also creates other problems beside sweating while standing still. Mold and bacteria love moist climates. Especially if it is dark and moist. Homes, offices, or any building structure is susceptible to mold growth if high humidity is present and the air is not properly conditioned. Air conditioning is essential to minimize mold growth as conditioned air both reduces the air temperature thus reducing the dew point and also removes moisture from the air to minimize the amount of moisture available to condense.

This is why it is essential that some form of air filtration device or filter system is utilized in all heating/cooling systems. Even with excellent air conditioning, mold spores can be present in an enclosed environment. And, it is necessary to have the air moving all the time through the AC system to ensure that humidity levels are kept below 50%. A good filtration system and a good AC unit are necessary to maintain a healthy indoor environment.

Pure Air Systems has been manufacturing HEPA and Carbon based air filtration systems since 1985 and has thousands of units in homes, offices and commercial buildings across North America and overseas. For more information on our complete line of air filtration products please go to our website at: www.pureairsystems.com.