Blog Tag: indoor air quality

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.

Change for the sake of change often is not a good thing….unless the change is really needed. For the most part, people resist change even if they know taking a step in a different direction may actually be good for them. Studies have shown that changing someone’s belief in any subject matter is extremely difficult, even if you can show them actual proof their beliefs are not correct.

Getting people to accept that “process interrupt” is difficult. Getting someone to change their habits is usually most effective when the change affects their health. One of the areas associated with healthy living is the use of or the addition of air filters or air filtration systems for those individuals who suffer from severe allergies or other airborne particle induced respiratory dysfunctions.

Pure Air Systems has been making HEPA and Carbon based air filtration systems since 1985. They also offer a complete line of dual-layer polyester ring panel filters that can be used individually from the HEPA systems. For most home owners with allergies, the ability to maintain a high level of clean air is very important. They know that airborne dust and allergens ( including pollen, ragweed, grasses, mold, etc.) are not always just outside the home environment. Much of this material is brought into the living spaces and is distributed through out the house via the heating/cooling system.

Removing the smaller airborne particles from the air in your home is most often done by placing a filter in the main return air duct at the junction of the heating/cooling air handler section. This is the most common location for filters. It is important to remember that filtration only occurs when the air handler fan is running so it is better to have the fan switch in the on position on the thermostat all the time so filtration takes place even when heating or cooling of the environment is not required.

Selecting the correct air filter is important. There are many styles and types but you want one that has the greatest efficiency for removing small, micron sized particles without creating too much static pressure resistance for the air handler. Pure Air Systems offers a wide range of sizes of their ring panel filters. These filters have a wire frame which is wrapped with the polyester media allowing for a very tight seal in the return air duct filter slot. This means no particulate bypass of the filter and total capture of all the airborne contaminants.

Most importantly, the filter will need to be changed on a regular basis. Whether you use the PAS filters or another brand, changing the filters at least once every three months or more often is necessary. The filters are constantly loading up with dirt and dust and as they load up the pressure drop across the filter increases and this can actually reduce the air flow through the air handler. Then there is less air being pulled through the entire system and cooling and heating efficiency is dramatically reduced. As is the ability to capture the airborne particles.

Make a rule that every quarter you change the air filter in your HVAC system. Both you and your air handler will breathe better for it.

For more information on the complete line of HEPA, Carbon and Air Filters from PAS please go to our website at: www.pureairsystems.com. Or follow us on Twitter: @pureairsystems. Of course you can also call us on our toll free number. 800-869-8025.

How many times a day do you hear the phrase..”it is what it is!” Some people use it as a statement of fact or as an answer to some yet to be explained action of some individual. In either case, it is becoming a bit annoying. Using it as a catch phrase for any question is the epitome of mental laziness and pure lack of effort to even try to come up with an intelligent response. The real problem is how easily we accept this response as an answer.

This same mental thought process is often used in trying to solve a technical problem. Depending upon our depth of knowledge on the subject at hand we may come up with the answer or, more often than not, let someone else deal with it. With all the tools at our disposal it should be easy to find the information on your hand held digital device or through your social network. In today’s social media based world content is king.

In the IAQ arena there are thousands of product references that provide information on how to deal with indoor air quality problems. For many people who suffer from allergies and asthma, their common challenge is avoiding contact with the airborne allergens and pathogens that are the root cause for their allergy symptoms. When you ask these sufferers what they do to get relief from their allergies most just tell you they use over the counter allergy medicines, as Allergist and other medical professionals are more of an added expense than they really want to use. So, they just accept the fact that every Spring and/or Fall they will suffer for a few months.

Pure Air Systems has been manufacturing HEPA and Carbon based air filtration systems since 1985. These commercial grade, certified HEPA units have provided significant relief for thousands of homeowners who have allergies and other respiratory dysfunctions. Since HEPA filters remove over 99.99% of all airborne particulate smaller that 0.3 microns in size these systems can effectively remove those allergens from the air that can trigger allergy symptoms or Asthma attacks.

Allergy sufferers can now find some relief by using these HEPA based systems either as whole house filtration or when using a portable HEPA unit in their bedroom or other living space. In many cases customers who have used the HEPA units have been able to significantly reduce or eliminate their allergy medication for long periods of time.  They no longer have to just resolve themselves to saying they just have to deal with their allergies because “it is what it is.” They have a real option to help themselves by choosing the best available air filtration on the market.

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 at: @pureairsystems or like us on Facebook. You can also call 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.

For the past 20 years or so the term “thinking outside the box” has become ubiquitous in the meeting rooms of most corporations, small businesses, schools and universities. Most of the time it refers to thinking differently or looking at a problem from a totally different angle or point of view. Like many terms that have a unique beginning and meaning but through over use become less relevant, like “paradigm shift,” thinking outside the box is quickly following that path.

The question then is what is the next step in thought process beyond “outside the box?” The title of this blog would indicate  that we eliminate the box altogether. If that is the case then what do we call this new form of thought process if there is no box? How about “augmented reality” or “augmented thinking?”  Does it matter? How about just listening to your customers and providing the type of products and services they want and need?

If you look at the list of companies that are still in business after 25 years you realize they have done something right to be around that long. Consistently performing up to and often exceeding customers needs would be one really important part of this “longevity” equation. After all, it is difficult to be in business long term without having repeat business and a constant stream of new business. It isn’t luck….its listening.

Today, your customers have a multitude of methods of providing you feedback on your products and service. All too often we get caught up in our own success and forget that the reason for the constant stream of customers is our ability to get it right 99% of the time. When we take that for granted everyone loses. With the tremendous impact of “social media” in our society, there is no reason you should not have a pulse on the buying tendencies of your target market. You mess up they will tell you and 500 of their closest friends. Of course, when you get it right….the message is also relayed to their followers. Instantly.

Pure Air Systems has been in business since 1985. For over 26 years it has been providing some of the highest quality, best performing HEPA and Carbon based air filtration systems in the world. The PAS systems use the most advanced digitally controlled, ECM motor systems available along with commercial grade, certified HEPA filters and carbon media housed in heavy gauge, powder coated steel enclosures.

In 1995 Pure Air Systems developed its first website. Shortly thereafter an email system was introduced and then eventually a Facebook and Twitter account along with this blog were added. Customers have the ability to ask specific questions about their individual IAQ problems and convey their feedback on any aspect of the PAS products or their performance, using any of the aforementioned social media programs.

Customers will tell you what they need and expect from your company. You need to have a process in place to evaluate their current needs and ascertain if you can meet them or need to modify, change or alter your current product and service programs to accommodate their current and future needs. Pure Air Systems does.

For more information on the complete line of HEPA and Carbon based air filtration systems available please go to our website at: www.pureairsystems.com or follow us on Twitter @purairsystems or Facebook at. pureairsystems. Of course you can always call us on our toll-free line: 800-869-8025.

If you go to the comments section of any article published on-line that discusses the plight of the American manufacturing machine you find people complaining bitterly about the fact that nothing is made here anymore. In truth, the vast majority of major products are made here in the US. However, almost all of the consumer electronics and most of the general duty appliances are made outside the U.S., and therein lies the problem.

If you use a cell phone, computer of any style or type, tablet or other digital communication device, more than likely it is manufactured overseas. Yes, many of these companies, like Apple, are based right here in the U.S, but they have their devices made some place else. Small appliances also fit into the same category. Yet, it is interesting to note, consumers may complain about the perceived lack of American made products, but they will purchase the imported brands even if there is a similar product that is actually made right here. The main reason…price. Over time people have rationalized that one companies product is the same as another companies product and therefore price is the deciding factor.

Pure Air Systems has been manufacturing commercial grade, certified HEPA and Carbon based air filtration systems since 1985. These units were and still are made right here in the USA. In 1989 PAS began putting “Made in the USA” stickers on each unit. It was our way of telling people this product was fabricated from all US made components. The intent was to assure the public that we were not importing the products from overseas.

Over the years a number of  U.S. based companies offered alternate air filtration technology based systems that in some case competed with our smaller units. The majority of these systems were fabricated overseas and they were usually of a lesser quality but also considerably less expensive than our systems. And even though PAS has repeatedly shown to meet or exceed the performance requirements of our customers, many individuals and some companies continue to purchase the imported products.

Today, Pure Air Systems continues to manufacture all of its systems here in the U.S. Some of the electrical components and a few mechanical components are fabricated overseas as these required parts are no longer made in the U.S. However, our products are still some of the most powerful, effective and sophisticated HEPA air filtration systems made today. Customers from around the world now use our filtration systems and our reputation for quality and performance is seldom challenged.

There is no doubt, that companies around the world have access to the same technologies and components and the need to continue improving our products has never been greater. However, we will never sacrifice quality and performance for price. We know what is required to provide our customers with the best available air filtration technology and they rely on us to maintain that premise.

For more information on our complete line of HEPA and Carbon based air filtration products please go to our website at: www.pureairsystems.com or follow us on Twitter @pureairsystems or go to our Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/pureairsystems.

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.

I do a lot of writing and publish a number of blogs on-line. I am always careful to check the spelling and punctuation since these types of mistakes will often make the reader less interested in the material. So it really bugs me when I see so many people, many highly educated, misspell a word or use a word incorrectly. And, as a result of so many of us using texting tools like our smart phones, iPads, tablets, Facebook, Twitter, etc, etc., we tend to use a “short hand” approach to form a sentence or thought. Hence the use of this title for the blog.

The problem isn’t that we do it…the problem is we accept it as a normal method of communication. And to a certain extent I understand the rationale. I use Twitter a lot and you have to be very creative to make a point with just 140 characters and include a link. But the problem extends itself into the way we now gather information and educate ourselves about someone or some thing. I have found, for example, that writing a blog that is under 500 words gets more reads than one that is 600 words long. It seems that people want to be informed in 500 words or less….even better if you just show a picture with a short caption. This is why it is so difficult these days to get someones attention long enough to make a significant point or properly inform.

Pure Air Systems has a web site that is designed to cover all aspects of readers attentions spans. We have a quick info section that allows you to see a photo of the product with 3 to 4 sections of information that can be selected with one click of the mouse. This information is short and to the point.  If you want more information you can go to other sections in the site that provide more details on the products and their applications and our installation guide.

However, the area that gets the most action is our “Pure Air University” section. This has a number of “chapters” covering all aspects of Indoor Air Quality, basics of air filtration, ventilation, motor design, etc.  This section provides a lot of basic knowledge that allows the end user to become better educated and thus allows them to make a more informed decision.

We also have a section that allows the end user or contractor to pose a specific problem or question. We read these daily and respond within 24 hours with an answer.  They can also pose questions on our Facebook page or through Twitter. Of course we have an 800 phone number they can call during office hours. Interestingly most people and contractors prefer to contact us via email or through the social media programs. And, many of those “digital” contacts are made on their mobile devices. Which means they want a quick, short answer. We will try our best.

For more information you can contact us at: www.pureairsystems.com, Facebook.com/pureairsystems, @pureairsystems. This is 500 words.

“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.