Blog Tag: indoor air pollution

There are some songs that seem to transcend time and this one by Eric Burton and the Animals is not exception. For almost anyone alive today hearing the first 5 cords of this song instantly remind you of what comes next. There are products and companies that also fall into this category.

Pure Air Systems, Inc. Founded in 1985, is one of those companies. PAS was one of the first companies in North America to offer true HEPA based, fan powered, air filtration systems for both residential and commercial applications. The model 600HS was the first HEPA system that was designed to attach to any forced air, ducted HVAC system using the partial by-pass concept. This allowed the use of the 600, 1200 and 2000HS series units to used in any application for any size HVAC unit with the added ability to introduced fresh, filtered outside air in small quantities to help pressurize any environment.

Today, Pure Air Systems is one of only 3 companies in the world that produce this type of commercial grade HEPA air filtration system. These units also use the variable speed drive motors and can be programmed to adjust the speed ( air flow in CFM ) to suit the application.

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

Many products that used to be fabricated from metal are now made by using an injection molding process and a wide variety of plastics to keep the cost and weight down. In many cases this option works as the strength of many of the composite plastics are very strong and will work for most applications.

In 1985 Pure Air Systems began its process of making fan powered, commercial grade, HEPA air filtration systems for both the residential and commercial markets. The cabinets used to house the filter components was mild steel that was powder coated. These rugged housings allowed for the use in both interior and exterior applications and provided a housing structure that would last 20 years or longer under heavy use.

The housings ranged in size from the small portable which is approximately 13 inches square by 21 inches long, the 600HS series which is 16 inches square by 34 inches long ( high ), The 1200 HS series which is 25 inches square by 48 inches long and the 2000HS series which is identical to the 1200HS in size. All of these units are fabricated from 16 gauge powder coated steel and are built to last.

Early in the 90’s. Pure Air Systems looked at the possibility of using strong, composite plastic materials in-lieu of metal housings but found both the cost and challenge of making a unit strong enough to hold the metal blowers, ECM motors and HEPA filter and associated prefilter material. In this case, metal was and has always been the best choice for making the high performance HEPA based air filtration systems.

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

HEPA filters were developed in the early 1940’s during the creationg of the atomic bomb.The use of radioactive materials in the making of the bomb created extreme health hazards for the technicians and engineers that had to handle this type of material. Due the extremely small size of the radioactive particles ( Sub-micron in size ), readily available air filter media like furnace filters, were totally useless in reducing the levels of radioactive particulate. They needed a filter material that could absolutely remove and capture these tiny particles. 

After trying a number of materials a process using a wet laid paper type material infused with tiny pieces of glass was used to develop a very dense material that was capable of filtering out these tiny sub-micron particles. The paper like material was formed into an accordian style form with pieces of aluminum sandwiched beteween each folded layer to protect the paper-like media as it was relatively fragile and could abrade by rubbing on itself.

The filter pack was placed inside a square medtal housing and was glued in place. The outside parameter of the metal housing had a neoprene type gasket so when it was placed in a sheet metal duct it would compress the gasket to form a leak-tight seal. These filters had an initial efficiency of capturing 99.97% of all particles 0.3 microns and larger and as it got dirtier its efficiency increased. The use of this HEPA filter allowed the technicians to work in a safer environment culminating in the eventual creation of the two bombs used on Japan to end WWII.

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

When purchasing insurance for home or auto you often look at the section marked “Comprehensive Coverage.” This tells you what is covered under the policy with the price quoted to you. This can include covering medical costs, with certain dollar limits, uninsured motorist, which is good to have and a number of other conditions. It does not, however, cover acts of God, which include Aliens crashing their space craft into your car or large creatures eating your seats while you are parked outside your favorite restaurant. No..Comprehensive does not really mean Comprehensive.

HEPA, high efficiency particulate air ( absolute) filter labels do not necessarily mean that this is a true HEPA filter.

In 1985 Pure Air Systems opened it doors offering their first true, commercial grade HEPA filtration system in their model 600H. These metal framed, scanned, 99.97% at 0.3 microns were the most efficient HEPA filters at the time. Fast forward to today and Pure Air Systems offers the same HEPA filters only these are all rated at 99.99% at o.3 microns and work well in the industrial, commercial, institutional, medical and residential markets. In truth, these filters offer Comprehensive Coverage.

The reduction and/or removal of sub-micron airborne particulate is extremely important in many process and medical applications.Hospitals use 100% HEPA filtered air in their operating rooms to reduce the high risk of infection and all clean rooms that manufacture micro-chips use multiple levels of HEPA and ULPA filters to obtain particulate free room levels down to 99.9995% at 0.12 microns. These are normally listed as Class 10 clean rooms.

In the world of filtration, nothing is as effective in removing harmful airborne particles as HEPA filters. All the CDC labs in Atlanta and WHO facilities around the world use HEPA filters to reduce the potential release of extremely virulent bacteria and viruses as these pathogens can often be deadly.

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

The USA Olympic team continues to rack up medals this past week and the cheers of “USA USA USA” are prominent at every event. It is interesting that we support our teams with such fervor and yet when it comes to rooting for our own USA based companies we tend to fall flat in our willingness to support Made in the USA products.

In 1985 Pure Air Systems was founded and produced one of the first true commercial grade HEPA filtration systems for the residential market. These units used all American made components and were fabricated from steel and were designed to last for years. Each unit had a sticker on it that had the American Flag and text reading Made In The USA.

Competitors that had alternate air filtration or air purifier systems were often made overseas or assembled in the US with parts from Japan and the US. The PAS systems were more expensive but much more powerful and commercially rated so they had a much better efficiency in removing sub-micron particulate than any of their competitors. Yet, people would look at the price first rather than the country of origin.

Today, Pure Air Systems are made using 100% USA made components with the Made In The USA stickers on each unit. The website proudly states that our products are made in Indiana, USA and they have been for the past 31 years. And while the reputation for high performance is still one of the real features of the PAS line of filtration systems, customers still tend to try the lesser expensive, off-shore filtration systems.

Pricing continues to be the major reason why people purchase a certain product. Perhaps it is due to the large influx of cheap products that have now fallen into the “disposable” column giving customers the rationale that if it only last 2 or 3 years and they will just buy a new one. Buying on-line has also changed the playing field. You can purchase almost anything on Amazon or some of the other on-line stores. Price comparison is easy and again country of origin is does not often come into the decision making process.

Pure Air Systems is Made in the USA.  For more information on our complete product line please go to our website at: https://www.pureairsystems.com  or call us on our toll-free number at: 800-869-8025.

Living in Florida one realizes that along with being in paradise you have the occasional tropical storm along the coast lines of this peninsula. Hurricane season runs from June 1st through November 1st and there are numerous guesses as to how many Hurricanes will form and most importantly how many will hit the state.  The prognosticators are experts from around the globe and most times they get it wrong. Guessing is still …guessing.

When people purchase an air filtration system from Pure Air Systems, they know exactly what they are getting. The specifications on the website detailing the performance and design characteristics of the systems is exactly what you will get when the system is delivered.

It is unfortunate that people more often than not have a genuine lack of confidence when buying something for the first time or getting information from an unknown source that they hope is reliable. Perhaps this is why many people still like to shop locally where they know the owners of the businesses and can see the merchandise up close and personal.

Being in business for over 31 years does say something about PAS and their product line. While minimal improvements have been made, the high quality standards for components and performance remain the same. You can ask customers who purchased the systems 10 years ago what they think of the products and you will get the same answer. “They work very well.”

PAS uses true, certified, commercial grade HEPA filters in all their systems. These are scanned HEPA filters, rated at 99.99% at 0.3 microns and larger. The motors used in these fan powered systems  are ECM, variable speed rated at 120/240 volts, 50/60Hz allowing us to ship them anywhere in the world.

In 1985 when PAS was started there were a large number of companies that made HEPA based filtration systems. Most of them low volume with very little fan power. Today, PAS is one of the few US based companies that make HEPA systems with capacities up to 2,000 CFM and with the ability to use them in a wide variety of systems and industries.

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.

When we think about the future we often take a lot of the present and some of the past with us on this journey. Even though we know there are rapid changes in technology buzzing past us like a swarm of bees, we still have a tendency to look at the future wrapped around by our past. Fear of change and fear of the unknown continue to hold many of us back from taking chances or risks on new ventures or ideas because we fear we may fail. Yet, all of the innovations in science and technology were accomplished knowing that success can only come when it is accompanied by trial and error.

Companies that are looking to develop new products or enhancements to existing equipment are often faced with the reality that competition is now global and the amount of new technologies and process that are available to everyone really levels out the playing field. With many of the U.S. based corporations having their R&D operations in their overseas facilities the ability to adapt new technologies and develop new products is challenging for a large number of U.S. based corporations. Only the smaller, more versatile companies have the ability and in-house skills to create new products but require more time to bring them to market.

Pure Air Systems, Inc., an Indiana based corporation, has been designing and manufacturing commercial grade, high performance HEPA based air filtration systems since 1985. For over 32 years PAS has been developing new products to bring to their ever-changing customer base to ensure their existence in the market. In addition, PAS continued to build their systems using only the highest grade components and variable speed motor technology.

Over the years some of their competitors have dropped out of the market leaving Pure Air Systems as one of the only companies in the US that makes this high volume, high performance, industrial grade HEPA systems on the market. There are other HEPA units but the vast majority are small, low powered, low volume systems that are often made from plastic and not steel like the PAS units.

Going forward, PAS is continuing to look at new market opportunities and developing new systems to meet the demands and performance requirements including designing new enclosures for some of the larger 3D Printing machines that are making their mark in the market today. Look for more new concepts from Pure Air Systems in the very near future.

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

Recently, the Healthy Exposure Construction organization printed an article discussing the healthy side of green when looking building or renovating your home or office. Healthy Exposure Const Ad_RSF15_PROOF5

Building green has been around since the early 1970’s and really started to grow in the 80’s. As more evidence of indoor air quality issues arose due to building materials that were made of inferior materials and used glues and other chemicals that would out gas and create health issues, the building industry and air filtration companies, like Pure Air Systems,  started to look at alternative materials and construction techniques to help resolve these issues

Pure Air Systems out of Indianapolis, Indiana has been in business for over 32 years so it has a long history in placing its commercial grade, certified HEPA units and Carbon units in homes across the country to help resolve many of the early issues with sick building syndrome. Today, PAS has thousands of its HEPA systems installed in homes, offices, commercial, medical and institutional facilities and has developed a deep understanding of what it takes to maintain a clean, healthy environment…and doing it Green.

With a variety of HEPA, fan powered systems, the units can deliver HEPA filtered air from 50 CFM to 2,000 CFM with adjustable variable speed motors.  The continued effort to make homes more energy efficient has also created indoor environments that have fewer fresh air changes than in the past. The PAS units can not only filter all the air but also introduce small amounts of filtered fresh ( outside ) air without affecting the heating/cooling efficiency  and keeping the house slightly positive.

When considering building a new home or renovating a large section of your home, consider using the experts at Healthy Exposure Construction and incorporating a new Pure Air Systems along with the modifications.

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

3D Printing has become a passion of mine. One of my business ventures entails the use of 3D printing to develop prototypes of hard technologies, objects and working parts for entrepreneurs. I also work with schools to help them obtain 3D printers for their classrooms. As all schools have eliminated wood shop, metal shop and any type of mechanical equipment education, the 3D printer can now take the place of any or all of these now defunct instructional classes.

One of the great things about 3D printing is their ability to use over 50 different types of materials for making almost any object. The more typical filaments include ABS ( typical plastic used in Lego’s and most household items, PLA, a plastic made from corn starch and HIPS, high impact polystyrene. Of course you can now print with all types of nylon, carbon fiber, graphene, conductive, magnetic, poly carbonate and stem cells if you prefer.

Of the three most commonly used filaments, ABS has some distinct positives and negatives. It is very durable and has great compression and shear strength and prints fairly easily. The downside is the odor that is generated by the high temperatures required to melt the filament at the extruder head..usually 230 to 240 degrees C. Also, as the layers of ABS cool they tend to shrink a little and if the printer bed is not heated ( usually 110 dgrees C) and if there are cold drafts the print object can actually lift off the build platform.

To both minimize the odor and shrinkage issue, Pure Air Systems has created a prototype housing that will fit over almost all of the 3D printers on the market. The size was based upon the Aleph Objects Companies, Lulzbot TAZ 5 open source 3D printer. This is one of the more popular printers on the market has a fairly good size footprint. The enclosure has four sides including a swing over the top hinged front door for easy access to the entire print surface including the filament and it is all made out of plexiglass. On the top of the unit is a small compartment with a true carbon media filter and a small fan to very gently pull air from around the bottom of the enclosure to remove the odor but maintain the temperature of the interior of the enclosure above ambient by holding in the heat from the build platform. Thus eliminating the odor issue and keeping the ABS objects on the build platform and ending up with a better print.

Pure Air Systems makes a complete line of HEPA and Carbon based air filtration products for every market and is now 32 years old. Their expertise in ventilation, HEPA filtration and odor control will help them produce a product that is both high performing and lost cost. Look for more information on this new 3D Enclosure coming soon.

For more information on Pure Air Systems, please go to their websites at: https://www.pureairsystems.com or call them anytime at: 800-869-8025.

As simple as it may seem, most people have very little knowledge of how an air filter, home, car, industrial, commercial institutional varieties actually work.  There is an assumption that the filter media itself does all the filtering and the more dense the media the better. While denser media is certainly more effective at removing finer, smaller particles, these types of filter media also have a much higher resistance or pressure drop both initially and when they load up with dust and dirt. Also, the filter media is really just the base for what really does all the filtering of the fine, sub-micron airborne particulate.

Most filters today use a MERV rating to indicate their level or efficiency with the higher number being more dense and more effective at initially removing fine particulate and the lower numbers being more of a general duty filtering capability. However, if a MERV 18 filter is best for fine particulate removal even a MERV 6 or 8 rated filter will eventually reach the same overall efficiency of the MERV 18 filter, and here is the reason.

 Even with “see through” filter medias, the internal areas of the filter fibers will, over time, fill up with larger airborne particles and make the passage ways through the media smaller and smaller eventually capturing even sub-micron dust particles as they are trapped in the now mostly blocked filter media. Unfortunately as the filter loads up the air resistance through the filter increases to the level where is significantly restricts the airflow through the filter and will reduce the performance of the fan and/or air handler.

Therefore, most HVAC filters are relatively open or low on the MERV scale so they will last at least 3 months before needed to be changed. For applications where a MERV 18 filter or true HEPA filter is required, a more powerful blower/motor assembly will be required along with a prefilter to keep the final filters from loading up too quickly.

A good, medium duty, Merv 6 or 7 rated filter is fine for most general duty applications. These give you best filtration performance over the life of the filter.