Coronavirus
Technology Solutions
$400 Billion
Holistic Clean
Air Market
Major Changes in
the Mask Market
Room Air
Purifiers Not
Open Windows as
Philadelphia
Schools Reopen
Hotels Need to
Consider Room
Air Purifiers
and Improved
HVAC
Readers Digest
Analyzes Room
Air Purifiers
School Buses
Need to Upgrade
to MERV 13
Filters
Ohio Opens
Indoor Venues
Based on MERV 13
Filters
Rochester NY
Opening Schools
with MERV 13
Filters in Place
Texas and
Mississippi Lift
Mask Mandate and
Allow 100 %
Capacity at
Facilities
_____________________________________________________________________________
$400 Billion
Holistic Clean
Air Market
Companies such
as Mann +
Hummel, Daikin,
and Mitsubishi
are pursuing
clean air
markets on a
holistic basis.
It starts with
Concentrated
Contaminant
Capture (CCC).
Companies such
as Nederman have
innovative
mobile suction
devices to
capture dust and
noxious gases
before they can
disperse.
The whole
air pollution
control industry
is built around
source capture
and treatment.
The cleanroom
and HVAC
suppliers are
focused on
maintaining
cleanliness
within a
building
The area
cleaning concept
is exemplified
by filter cubes
located at
traffic
intersections.
The clean air
maintenance of
cities has been
improved by low
cost electronic
monitors for
specific toxic
metals.
The science of
regional
transport of air
pollutants has
greatly improved
over the
decades. We can
now trace
mercury
emissions from a
gold mine in
Brazil to
deposition in
the artic snow.
Over eight
million people
according to WHO
are still dying
each year due to
air pollution.
So, despite
steady progress
there is still a
need to further
clean the air
inhaled by eight
billion people.
McIlvaine
provides a
number of market
reports in this
area which are
found under
“markets” and
then “air” at
www.mcilvainecompany.com
Bob McIlvaine
can answer your
questions at
rmcilvaine@mcilvainecompany.com
847 226 2391
Major Changes in
the Mask Market
The new
consensus that
efficient masks
are much more
protective than
the typical
cloth mask will
reshape the
market.
Standards to
guide consumers
will make it
very difficult
for thousands of
suppliers of
inefficient
masks to
generate
revenues. All
these suppliers
offer is
“Appeal” which
is comfort plus
attractiveness.
In the short
term the big
growth market
will be masks
designed with
only protection
in mind.
However,
long term much
of the market
will be captured
by suppliers of
masks with both
“Protection” and
“Appeal” (PA).
The wealthy
countries will
purchase a
disproportionate
percentage of
the PA masks.
Due to
the slower
rollout of
vaccines, the
need for
protection will
be extended for
a number of
years in the
poorer
countries.
A robust long
term market will
be driven by
virus variants,
pollution
protection,
wildfires, and
courtesy
protocols.
Market forecasts
and strategic
guidance is
provided in
Mask
Market Program
Click
here for
more
information.
Bob McIlvaine
can answer your
questions at
rmcilvaine@mcilvainecompany.com
847 226 2391.
Philadelphia
schools
will open their
doors
this month to
students, many
of whom haven’t
set foot in a
classroom in
almost a year.
According to the
new deal, some
teachers will
begin reporting
to buildings
Wednesday, March
3 with students
at 53 schools
starting
in-person
classes next
Monday.
This
reintroduction
to in-person
instruction is
going to happen
in waves.
To start, Pre-K
through
second-grade
students are
first up through
March 22. By the
end of this
rollout, the
expectation is
that
all grades will
be eligible
to go back.
The PFT’s
environmental
scientist says
every room that
will be used
will be ready
for in-person
learning,
according to the
union. The
school system
has long been
plagued by
environmental
issues, and the
proposal to use
window fans to
ventilate some
classrooms drew
wide criticism.
So, expect no
window fans.
Rooms without
sufficient
ventilation with
have
air purifiers.
Hotels Need to
Consider Room
Air Purifiers
and Improved
HVAC
While sanitizing
cleaners,
sprays, and
wipes can help
hotel management
clean surfaces
in their rooms,
these products
do little (if
anything at all)
when it comes to
disinfecting
potential
airborne
COVID-19 viral
molecules and
other pathogens.
In order for
hotel managers
and their teams
to truly ensure
clean, safe, and
virus-free
lodging, one
expert
microbiologist
says hotels will
need to look
into solutions
for sanitizing
HVAC systems to
improve and
maintain indoor
air quality
(IAQ) against
the COVID-19
virus and other
pathogens.
“Everyone
focuses on the
surfaces in a
hotel room, but
COVID-19 and
other viruses
are airborne,”
says Dr. Rajiv
Sahay, Ph.D.,
FIAS, CIAQP, the
director of the
environmental
diagnostics
laboratory at
Pure Air Control
Services in
Clearwater, FL,
a nationally
recognized IAQ
firm. “Hotel
industry leaders
who understand
the importance
of sanitizing
the HVAC systems
and creating
Pure Air
Hypoallergenic
Rooms, as well
as how to
communicate that
they did so, are
going to be the
winners as
consumers start
traveling again
in greater
numbers.”
https://www.influencive.com/how-hotels-can-keep-guests-safe-during-and-after-covid-19/
Readers Digest
Analyzes Room
Air Purifiers
It’s clear that
airborne
transmission
(especially in
enclosed,
crowded spaces
with little
ventilation)
plays a big role
with COVID-19.
To reduce the
potential
spread, you
might be
wondering if you
should invest in
one of the best
air purifiers on
the market—and
you’re not
alone. Air
purifier sales
have risen over
the past year
and are showing
no signs of
slowing down; in
fact, they are
projected to
grow by more
than $8 billion
over the next
three years.
While air
purifiers may be
able to capture
bacterial and
viral
particles that
are 0.3 microns
or larger,
that’s not the
only reason to
buy one. You
might simply
want to deal
with the dusty,
dank air in your
home. “The air
inside your home
can actually be
more polluted
than outdoor
air,” says
Melanie Carver,
chief mission
officer for the
Asthma and
Allergy
Foundation of
America (AAFA).
“We spend more
than 90 percent
of our time
indoors, and
that percentage
is likely even
higher given the
additional
amount of time
most of us are
spending inside
due to the
COVID-19
pandemic.”
Air purifiers
can help reduce
indoor air
pollution by
removing tiny
particles, such
as dust mites,
pet dander,
volatile organic
compounds (VOCs),
odors, pollen,
and air
pollution from
outside. All of
this can
particularly
help people
who suffer from
allergies. But
before you buy,
there are a few
things you need
to know.
You want an air
purifier you’ll
actually use, so
it’s best to
choose one
that’s easy to
maintain. It’s
also important
to size it right
for your room.
But how else can
you narrow down
the thousands of
models to find
the best air
purifier for
you? Look for
the
evidence-based,
scientific
certification
standard that
air purifiers
can earn,
advises John
McKeon, MD,
founder and CEO
of Allergy
Standards Ltd.
(ASL), which
operates the
certification
program with the
AAFA.
“To be
certified, an
air cleaner is
tested on its
ability to
remove allergens
and particulates
from the air,
and also to
capture them.
Many air-moving
devices, such as
fans, often just
redistribute
allergens onto
walls and other
surfaces,” Dr.
McKeon says.
“Some appliances
can also produce
relatively high
levels of ozone
and other
harmful
by-products,
which have been
shown to
irritate those
with sensitive
airways. The
Code of Federal
Regulations sets
a limit, and
only air
purifiers that
meet this
criteria are
certified.”
For an air
cleaner to be
certified asthma
& allergy
friendly®, it
must meet the
following
standards, says
Carver:
Best air
purifier for a
large space:
Dyson Pure Cool
DP04 Air
Purifier Fan
·
$449.99
·
Energy
Star–certified
and able to
clean and cool
an
800-square-foot
room, this HEPA
filter air
purifier
promises to
capture 99.97
percent of air
pollutants.
Aside from being
beloved by the
experts, this
top-rated Dyson
model also made
Oprah’s list of
favorite
things—and it’s
easy to see why.
In addition to
getting the job
done, its smart
technology
sensors
automatically
react to changes
in the indoor
air quality and
can alert you
via the Dyson
Link app. Here
are more smart
devices that are
worth every
penny.
Best air
purifier for an
apartment: LG
PuriCare 3-Stage
Filter Purifier
·
$299.95
·
Of course, not
everyone needs
an air purifier
that covers a
lot of ground
(or, more
accurately,
air). If you
have a smaller
space, look to
the LG PuriCare.
It eliminates
almost all dust,
pollen, and pet
dander from a
251-square-foot
room, and its
easy-to-read
digital display
shows the
overall indoor
air pollution
level (green is
clean; red is
poor)
Best air
purifier for
your bedroom:
Samsung Cube
Smart Air
Purifier
·
$549.00
·
If you’re a
fussy sleeper,
take note: This
air purifier is
about as quiet
as they come.
And, of course,
it does what you
need it to in
terms of air
purifying.
Samsung’s True
HEPA filtration
says it can
capture up to
99.97 percent of
super-fine dust,
allergens, and
pet dander, and
an activated
carbon filter
deodorizes any
“off” scents in
a
310-square-foot
or smaller room.
For a hands-off
option, tap into
the
voice-control
features that
can take
advantage of
tools like Alexa
to switch modes.
Best air
purifier for the
office: Dyson
Pure Cool Link
Air Purifying
Desk Fan
·
$449.00
·
Working from
home, or looking
to bring
something to the
office? Snag
this Dyson that
“never
disappoints,”
according to one
reviewer. It’s
just 17 by 11
inches, but it
packs a major
purifying punch.
It also connects
to the Dyson
Link app for
easy controls,
and its Air
Multiplier
technology
Best air
purifier for
creative types:
RabbitAir
MinusA2
·
$549.95
·
You’re not just
limited to
black, white, or
metal with this
flat-screen-esque
model. You can
choose a
decorative cover
inspired by
classic
masterpieces,
cartoons, and
more to spice up
your space. In
addition to
doubling as a
work of art,
this RabbitAir
can handle big
rooms and even
entire small
apartments. It
catches and
reduces
pollution from
pets, smoke, and
mildew for up to
700 square feet
through its
six-stage HEPA
filtration and
deodorization
process.
School Buses
Need to Upgrade
to MERV 13
Filters
In the Centers
for Disease
Control and
Prevention's February
9, 2021 update
on Ventilation
in Buildings,
they state, "CDC
recommends using
the highest
efficiency
ventilation
filters
possible,
without having
detrimental
effects on
overall HVAC
system
performance.
ASHRAE, has
similar
guidance,
however, they
recommend a
minimum
filtration
efficiency
target of MERV
13, provided
there are not
substantial
negative impacts
on the HVAC
system
performance and
occupant
comfort."
Ohio Opens
Indoor Venues
Based on MERV 13
Filters
Rochester NY
Opening Schools
with MERV 13
Filters in Place
“As for
ventilation
systems, we
secured
contracts with
two companies
for evaluation
of ventilation.
When RTA
leadership came
to us with the
idea of using a
consultant of
their choice, we
jumped at the
opportunity for
collaboration.
MERV-13 filters
have been
delivered to all
of the buildings
in Phase 1 and 2
of our reopening
plan, and all
items with
respect to
ventilation in
those buildings
have been or
will be
addressed. Additionally,
the decision to
put MERV 13
filters in these
buildings was
done as an extra
level of care
and safety for
our students and
staff. We are
following
recommendations
from the New
York State
Department of
Health and the
State Education
Department.
None of those
recommendations
specifically
mention the use
of MERV filters.
Saturday, the
school district
released their
own report that
shows all
district schools
but two have
been fitted with
MERV-13
filters. The
superintendent
is waiting for
final shipments
saying in a
letter;
“All of our
school
buildings, with
the exception of
Leadership
Academy for
Young Men and
Rochester
International
Academy, are
equipped with
MERV13
filters…Those
schools will
have the filters
installed before
their opening
day on
Thursday.”
Texas and
Mississippi Lift
Mask Mandate and
Allow 100 %
Capacity at
Facilities
Texas Gov. Greg
Abbott announced
Tuesday that he
is lifting the
state's mask
mandate and
increasing
capacity of all
businesses and
facilities in
the state to
100%. Abbott, a
Republican, said
the mandates are
no longer needed
due to
advancements of
vaccines and
therapeutics to
protect against
COVID-19.
His new
executive order goes
into effect on
Wednesday, March
10, and it
rescinds most of
the governor's
earlier
executive orders
related to the
coronavirus.
"With the
medical
advancements of
vaccines and
antibody
therapeutic
drugs, Texas now
has the tools to
protect Texans
from the virus,"
Abbott said in
address to the
Lubbock Chamber
of Commerce.
"We must now do
more to restore
livelihoods and
normalcy for
Texans by
opening Texas
100 percent.
Make no mistake,
COVID-19 has not
disappeared, but
it is clear from
the recoveries,
vaccinations,
reduced
hospitalizations,
and safe
practices that
Texans are using
that state
mandates are no
longer needed."
Abbott says the
order ensures
"that all
businesses and
families in
Texas have the
freedom to
determine their
own destiny."
Mississippi Gov.
Tate Reeves made
a similar
announcement
shortly
thereafter — on
a shorter
timeline.
"Starting
tomorrow, we are
lifting all of
our county mask
mandates and
businesses will
be able to
operate at full
capacity without
any
state-imposed
rules. Our
hospitalizations
and case numbers
have plummeted,
and the vaccine
is being rapidly
distributed. It
is time!" he
tweeted.
The moves come
just days after
CDC Director
Rochelle
Walensky warned
that progress in
the U.S. against
the virus was
"stalling."
"Things are
tenuous. Now is
not the time to
relax
restrictions,"
Walensky said on
Friday.
Both states have
seen declines in
the average
daily number of
new cases of
COVID-19. In the
past week, The
New York Times reports,
Texas has seen
an average of
7,693 cases per
day – down 18%
from the average
two weeks
earlier. The
average daily
number of deaths
has declined by
13% over that
period.
In Mississippi, the
declines have
been more
pronounced. The
state's average
daily number of
new cases
declined by 27%
over the average
two weeks
earlier, and
average daily
deaths declined
by 34% in that
same period.
More than 43,000
people have
died from
COVID-19 in
Texas, and there
have been more
than 2.6 million
confirmed cases
in the state.
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