Coronavirus
Technology Solutions
WFI Covered Mask
Selection and
Filter Testing
Today
Courtesy
Protective Masks
for Colds is a
Huge CATER
Market
Mann + Hummel
Air Purifiers
are Suitable for
Rooms Up to 200
m2
Study Proves
Effectiveness of
Mobile Air
Purifiers
Filti Introduces
Home Air
Purifier
____________________________________________________________________________
WFI Covered Mask
Selection and
Filter Testing
Today
Waterloo
Filtration
Institute in a
virtual
conference today
covered a range
of mask testing
subjects
followed by
analyses of test
methods and
testing
approaches.
There was lots
of activity in
the chat room
accompanying the
presentations.
For example what
happens to a
droplet
captured
on a mask or
filter? The
consensus was
that although
the droplet may
evaporate and
cause virus to
escape from a
mask it is
already dried
out and in the
salt form when
it reaches the
HVAC Filter.
But wait a
minute you
cannot on one
hand say that
virus aerosols
reaching the
filter are
between 1 and 10
microns and at
the same time
say that what is
reaching the
filter are
sub-micron
salts.
So this
discussion is
worth a separate
webinar.
Here is a report
of the speeches.
Specifications
and Ideal
Performance of
Masks for
Protection
against
COVID-19, Dr.
Peter Tsai, Univ
of Tenn.
General:
The masks used
to protect
against COVID-19
are cloth,
three-fold, and
N95. Cloth and
threefold do not
have tight fit,
usually called a
mask, but N95
does, usually
called a
respirator. In
addition, N95
has a submicron
efficiency of
95% or higher
based on 42 CFR
Part 84. Some
three-fold masks
like cloth masks
do not have
specifications
for general use.
The
specifications
of medical masks
are based on
ASTM
F2100-19.Electrostatically-charged
meltblown
microfiber
fabrics are
commonly used to
achieve the
specifications
of the masks and
the respirators.
Charges can be
retained for
longer than ten
years. Depending
on the charging
method, the
efficiency can
be ten or 20
times improved
compared to the
uncharged one at
the same basis
weight and
pressure drop.
The measured
surface charge
potential shows
that the charged
media is a
bipolar
electret.
Therefore, it
attracts both
positive and
negative
particles by
Columbic force,
as well as
neutral
particles by
image force.
Several N95
sterilization
methods have
been validated
by NIH, in which
some will
degrade the
charges and/or
the shape of the
respirators,
while others
will not. Cloth
masks are
primarily used
to block the
virus. Nonwoven
media can block
and filter the
virus. The
combination of
cloth sandwiched
with a nonwoven
filter is an
ideal design of
DIY masks.
Insight:
The fact that
the efficiency
can be improved
by better
charging and
that the
effectiveness of
the mask can be
nine years or
more is a
significant
improvement.
Masks subjected
to hydrocharging
showed
efficiencies at
99.98%
efficiency and
only 2.5 mm H20
resistance.
Respiratory
Filtration using
Nanofibers, Dr.
Jayesh Doshi,
eSpin
General:
Covid-19 has
created massive
demand for masks
and air filters
resulting in a
shortfall of
nonwoven
filtration media
all over the
world.
Nanofibers has
become material
of choice for
many mask
manufacturers as
a result of its
ability to
capture small
aerosol drops
while providing
superior
breathability.
This
presentation
covered
nanofiber media
production for
face masks and
air filters to
rapid
prototyping and
manufacturing of
masks and
respirator
filters.
Insight:
Nanofiber layer
is added to a
MERV 8 substrate
to achieve MERV
13 efficiency.
Production has
increased 40
fold to meet
demands in both
air filters and
masks.
Fashion in
Efficient
Consumer Masks,
Wendover Brown,
Ohlone Press,
LLC, Creator of
Vogmask®
Face masks have
played an
increasingly
critical role in
keeping people
safe during the
current
pandemic. It has
become a new
norm to wear
masks and there
is a clear trend
of fashion
design in the
efficient,
comfortable, and
reusable face
masks. Since
2011, Vogmask®
has provided
filtering face
masks for
helping to
protect from
microscopic
airborne
particles in
poor air
quality, natural
disaster, dust,
mold, and
biologics, while
supporting clean
air awareness
efforts
worldwide.
Vogmask is
highly efficient
for filtering
0.3-micron
particles,
tight-fitting
for a good seal,
comfortable to
wear with easy
breathing,
available in
many designs,
and manufactured
under Quality
Plan for
confirming safe
and effective
products. In
this
presentation,
the importance
of design in
consumer masks
for protection,
comfort,
compliance, and
sustainability
was addressed.
Insight:
Vogmask does not
claim to be
certified for
medical or
workplace
environments but
it has taken
advantage of
test methods
used in these
applications to
insure that its
masks are
Comfortable,
Attractive,
Tight Fitting,
and Efficient.
The
masks are used
for a
variety of
applications
including
volcanic dust,
wildfires, poor
air quality,
asthma,
allergies,
travel, and
outdoor work
Pandem-trepreneurship,
Mike Atkinson,
T3Gear
General:
T3gear.com has
some of most
flexible sewing
capacity in the
U.S. It designed
a cut and sewn
mask with high
efficiency
Insight:
The Readimask
has a silicone
seal which is
strong enough
that ear loops
are not required
and leakage is
minimal. The
company also
sells
inefficient
cloth masks and
questions why
local, State,
and National
decision makers
are not
requiring high
efficiency.
Latest Update of
HVAC Air Cleaner
Testing,
Kathleen Owen,
ASHRAE Fellow
and 52.2 Chair
General:
This talk was of
a work in
progress with an
update on the
recommendations
for using
filtration to
battle COVID19
and on filter
test methods.
Kathleen
referred us to
the new guidance
from the
Emergency Task
Force document
from ASHRAE
Insight:
SARS-CoV-2
virus, and other
similar
pathogens, may
spread through
various
transmission
routes,
including direct
or indirect
contact with
contaminated
surfaces and
exposure to
respiratory
droplets. While
not initially
considered, more
data are
becoming
available that
indicates that
the potential
for exposure
from aerosolized
particles must
also be
addressed. Both
the World Health
Organization
(WHO) and the
Center for
Disease Control
(CDC) have now
made public
statements
recognizing the
potential for
airborne
transmission.
This has led to
ASHRAE
developing the
formal position
(https://www.ashrae.org/technical-resources/ashraestatement-regarding-transmission-of-sars-cov-2
Transmission of
SARS-CoV-2
through the air
is sufficiently
likely that
airborne
exposure to the
virus should be
controlled.
Changes to
building
operations,
including the
operation of
heating
ventilation, and
air conditioning
systems, can
reduce airborne
exposures.
Initially, the
laboratory
environment was
considered low
risk for aerosol
transmission
because these
facilities are
already designed
with the safety
of occupants as
a key
performance
indictor;
typically
through the use
of 100% outside
air (i.e., no
recirculation)
supply systems,
higher air
change rates,
and exhaust
systems designed
to minimize
re-entrainment
of contaminated
air. However,
these same
systems provide
unique operating
conditions that
require distinct
mitigation
strategies to
minimize the
risk of
transmission of
aerosolized
particles.
Several
recommended
mitigation
strategies that
may be prudent
for other
building types
should not be
employed in a
lab environment
because they may
adversely impact
the air flow
patterns within
the lab and/or
the performance
of existing
containment
devices.
Therefore, the
objective of a
new document is
to address the
mitigation
strategies that
are unique to
the laboratory
environment and
to define those
strategies that
may be
applicable to
non-lab
environments
that should not
be implemented
within a
laboratory or to
its HVAC
systems.
Comparing test
methods for
respirators,
medical masks
and barrier face
covering to
improvised
methods used
during COVID-19,
Tim Johnson, TSI
General:
The masks used
to protect
against COVID-19
have varied
widely. There
are 3 main
categories.
NIOSH approved
respirators,
Medical masks
(ASTM method and
FDA
requirements)
and face
coverings (not
currently
covered by any
standard). These
are tested to
different
standards and
methods. There
has recently
been an effort
to standardize
how these
devices are
tested. In thi
the different
test methods and
the changes that
are occurring to
standardize at
least some
aspects of how
the testing is
done were
described.
Within the ASTM
standards there
is a proposal
out for ballot
to adopt a
version of the
NIOSH respirator
test method for
PFE (particulate
filter
efficiency)
testing in place
of the method of
using PSL
particles and
optical particle
counters that
has been used
until now. Tim
gave an update
on the status of
that proposed
change. There is
also an ASTM
task group
working on a
standard for
testing barrier
face coverings
for use by the
general public.
Tim discussed
the status of
this effort. If
this proposal
does become a
standard it will
create a
category of face
coverings that
have the
potential to be
significantly
better in terms
of source
control and
protection for
the user
compared to the
many products
that have been
in use during
the pandemic.
Insight:
Many people do
not understand
the difference
between the 0.3
micron rating
for minimum
particle
penetration size
and the fact
that the actual
testing is on
the capture of
particles only
0.075 microns in
diameter.
An outline of
current medical
face mask
performance
requirements and
testing, Janelle
R. Bentz, Nelson
Labs
General:
Medical face
masks and
respirators have
taken the
spotlight during
the current
pandemic. With
the increased
emphasis on
wearing of face
coverings an
understanding of
the testing
required for
approval of
these products
is imperative.
An understanding
of the
difference
between these
two products and
the test methods
used to prove
compliance is
important for
choosing the
appropriate
product to
ensure the right
mask is used for
each purpose.
Test methods can
range from
simple air
differential
tests to
complicated
bacterial
filtration
efficiency
tests; each of
these tests
gives important
information
about the
functionality of
the product.
Medical face
masks are
manufactured and
tested with the
patient in mind,
and testing
demonstrates
this. Testing
for these
products is
directed toward
expected
conditions in a
medical
environment, and
includes
bacterial
filtration
efficiency
testing,
flammability
testing, and
synthetic blood
penetration
testing. NIOSH
approved
respirators are
generally used
in industrial
settings and are
meant to protect
the user.
Testing for
these products
focuses more on
expected
conditions when
protection is
needed from
small
particulates.
Insight:
There are many
different tests
and approaches
to determining
efficiency.
There are
many formulas
for ways to
normalize the
diameter of
particles which
are not spheres
or to count the
particles on a
plate in an
Anderson
Sampler. In this
case testing
labs rely on a
formula created
by the cascade
impact sampler
supplier. As a
result no
numbers should
be considered to
be absolute.
In-Place
Measure, Monitor
and Manage Air
Filtration
System
Associated with
COVID-19,
Stephen
Nicholas, Past
President of
NAFA, Life
Member of ASHRAE
General:
The presentation
highlighted the
updates of air
filtration
requirements
associated with
COVID-19 for
actual field
applications,
such as
hospitals and
schools.
Guidelines and
examples were
provided on how
to select air
filters and
schedule filter
change-out, and
how to select
proper air
filter clips,
latches, and
gaskets to
insure an
airtight filter
seal. Three T’s
(Technical Tips
– Tricks of the
Trade and Traps
to Avoid) and
3M’s (Measure,
Monitor and
Manage) to
secure an
effective air
filtration
system were
discussed.
Insight:
Used
hospital filters
do not have to
be treated as
toxic waste but
can be doused
with bleach and
then discarded
in bags.
Some
hospitals have
installed HEPA
filters in the
HVAC systems but
the pressure
drop can be
several inches
w.g As a result
the inclination
is to choose
MERV 16 but use
HEPA in
certain
types of
operating rooms
and to use HEPA
room air
purifiers in
isolation rooms
Courtesy
Protective Masks
for Colds is a
Huge CATER
Market
In many parts of
Asia anyone with
a cold is
expected to wear
what is labeled
a “courtesy”
mask
There are 3-5
billion severe
cases of
influenza year
and more than
0.5 million
deaths. A large
percentage could
be prevented
with masks. In
addition there
are over 15
billion colds
per year or just
under 2 colds
per person
More than 200
viruses are to
blame for the
estimated 1
billion common
cold cases each
year in the
United States,
according to
the National
Institutes of
Health (NIH).
With numbers
that large, it’s
no wonder the
common cold is
so, well,
common.
“The
common cold is a
viral infection
that is highly
contagious,”
said Angelia
Mickle, DNP,
with Jamestown
Family Medicine,
a Premier
HealthNet practice.
“It is estimated
that children
will get up to
seven colds a
year, resulting
in 22 million
missed school
days. Adults can
expect to get up
to two to three
colds a year. In
the fall and
winter months,
the majority of
cases we see
walking in our
office are for
the common
cold.”
The common cold
is caused by
hundreds of
different
viruses of which
three are mainly
to
blame. Rhinovirus accounts
for 40 percent
of cold cases,
followed by the
coronavirus
which accounts
for 20 percent
and respiratory
syncytial virus
(RSV) which
makes up another
10 percent.
Symptoms of the
cold can vary,
but usually
include
sneezing, sore
throat, coughing
and congestion
and mild
fatigue. A cold
can lasts up to
14 days.
“Unlike many
other illnesses,
the average
person can work
through a cold
or go to school
while they are
fighting the
illness,” Ms.
Mickle said.
“Not many people
could afford to
miss the amount
of days from
work or school
that it would
take to fully
recover from the
minor illness.
However, it’s
for this reason
that the cold is
so quickly
spread among
groups of
people.”
The use of
courtesy masks
would be quite
effective in
preventing this
spread.
There is no cure
for the common
cold, and
medications such
as antibiotics
do not make a
difference since
a cold is a
virus, not a
bacterial
infection. The
best thing an
individual can
do is treat the
symptoms and
know the signs
that may signal
if additional
medical
attention is
needed. He
should also be
advised to wear
a “courtesy”
mask.
Mann + Hummel
Air Purifiers
are Suitable for
Rooms Up to 200
m2
The MANN+HUMMEL
Group, based in
Ludwigsburg near
Stuttgart, has
succeeded in
developing
comprehensive
solutions to
contain the
corona pandemic:
The HEPA H14
filters
(individually
tested according
to ISO 29463 &
EN 1822)
installed in the
two new mobile
and stationary
high-performance
room air
purifiers,
OurAir TK 850
and OurAir SQ
2500, are
capable of
reliably
filtering more
than 99.995
percent of
viruses,
bacteria, and
micro-organisms
from the air. As
such, they help
to minimize the
risk of
infection in
internal spaces.
The devices are
modern in their
design, and
thanks to the
innovative ePTFE
medium, they
operate at high
performance with
particularly low
noise levels.
This allows
infectious virus
particles such
as SARS-CoV-2,
which can attach
themselves to
aerosols, to be
almost
completely
filtered out.
At a virtual
press
conference, the
two new
high-performance
room air
purifiers were
presented to the
media in Austria
and Switzerland,
following a
successful
product launch
in Germany in
mid-September.
These create
almost
completely
virus-free air
in internal
spaces. The
stationary room
air purifier
OurAir SQ 2500
is suitable for
rooms of up to
200 m² and the
mobile room air
purifier OurAir
TK 850 for rooms
of up to 70 m².
Both devices
replace the air
contained within
the specified
room sizes five
times per hour,
allowing the
aerosol
concentration in
rooms to be
quickly reduced
by a significant
amount, and kept
at a constantly
low level.
Further added
value is created
thanks to the
energy
efficiency of
the devices. The
high energy
consumption,
which occurs
especially in
the winter time
with frequent
ventilation and
thus a constant
cooling of the
room, can be
reduced to a
minimum with the
air purifiers.
The technology
also helps to
protect against
infections
caused by colds,
flu viruses and
mold spores.
Beyond that the
devices filter
free allergens
from the air and
thus also help
against allergy
complaints in
the pollen
season.
“Our air
purifiers are a
complementary
measure to the
existing hygiene
and distance
regulations and
an important
component for a
speedy
resumption of
our habitual
everyday life.
We are proud
that our
technologies are
able to help
schools,
hospitals and
other
institutions to
continue
operating as
normal. In order
to make the
purchase of our
devices easier,
we offer
attractive
leasing models,”
explained
Jan-Eric Raschke,
Director & Chief
Product Owner
Public Air
Solutions. “Air
purifiers are a
sensible
long-term
investment,
because they
filter not only
the SARS-CoV-2
virus, but also
flu and cold
viruses and free
allergens. As a
result, they can
make a decisive
contribution to
reducing
absenteeism due
to illness or
allergies in the
future.”
Four of the
podium
participants at
the virtual
press conference
to present
MANN+HUMMEL's
antiviral air
purifiers:
f.l.t.r. Frank
Spehl, Director
Engineering Life
Sciences &
Environment
Airfiltration
MANN+HUMMEL;
Gunnar-Marcel
Klein, Vice
President
Engineering Life
Sciences &
Environment
MANN+HUMMEL;
Kathrin Sauter,
Director
Marketing
Communications
Life Sciences &
Environment
MANN+HUMMEL ;
Jan-Eric Raschke,
Director & Chief
Product Owner
Public Air
Solutions
MANN+HUMMEL
Study Proves
Effectiveness of
Mobile Air
Purifiers
Current
measurements
carried out by
Prof. Achim
Dittler from the
Institute for
Mechanical
Process
Engineering and
Mechanics at
Karlsruhe
Institute of
Technology,
including in the
classroom of a
primary school,
prove that the
devices are
highly efficient
in reducing the
aerosol
concentration
and therefore
the risk of
infection with
viruses and
bacteria. “The
filter quality
is the deciding
factor when it
comes to air
purifiers. At
MANN+HUMMEL, we
fondly look back
on our 80 years
of experience in
filtration, and
more than 40
years of
expertise in the
field of clean
room filtration
and OP
filtration. Thus
we have been
specialized in
particularly
sensitive areas
for many years.
Our quality
standards are
reflected in the
durability of
our devices,”
said Dr. Gunnar-Marcel
Klein, Vice
President
Engineering Life
Sciences &
Environment. The
areas of
application
range from
gastronomy to
public
institutions
such as schools
or care homes,
offices, retail,
airports,
hospitals,
shopping centres
and industrial
businesses,
right through to
event venues and
transportation.
In addition to
mobile antiviral
air purifiers,
MANN+HUMMEL also
offers the
conversion and
upgrading of air
conditioning and
ventilation
systems, which
also
significantly
reduces the risk
of infection in
internal spaces.
Based on decades
of experience in
the field of
cleanrooms and
operating rooms,
MANN+HUMMEL were
able to develop
a new ePTFE HEPA
filter in the
H14 class. With
filtration
efficiency of
more than 99.995
percent
according to EN
1822, it offers
optimum
protection
against viruses,
bacteria, and
microorganisms.
The new medium
makes it
possible to
reduce the
differential
pressure by 50
percent compared
to HEPA filters
made of micro
glass fibre
media and is
thus on a par
with a
“pre-corona”
filter system in
terms of the
operating costs
of an air
conditioning and
ventilation
system. The
filter also
meets the
requirements of
class E fire
protection
according to EN
13501.
Filti Introduces
Home Air
Purifier
Filti,
an air
filtration and
nanofiber
technology
company,
has launched the
9500 Home
Filter. The
patent-pending
9500 Home Filter
is an HVAC
filter
constructed
using nanofiber
technology, an
N95-quality
material that is
proven to filter
95% of
aerosolized,
airborne
particles – like
COVID-19 –
moving through
the material.
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