Spain Likely to Ease Outdoor Mask Rule

Simple Naming System for COVID Variants

Mask Policies Differ Across  U.S.

KNH Introduced HEPA Grade Meltblown

Ahlstrom-Munksjo has Media Specifically for Electric Vehicles

Neenah has New HVAC Filter Media

Air Filters and Masks will be Needed in the Wildfire Season

Ohio COVID-19 Indoor Air Quality Assistance Program will Pay for Some Air Filter Upgrades

Camfil Video Analyzes Upgrade Options

Smith System Launches New, Mobile Air Purifying Unit for Learning Spaces with CRI Filter

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Spain Likely to Ease Outdoor Mask Rule

Spain is considering easing rules on wearing face masks outdoors, as early as in mid-June, officials said on Monday, as falling transmission and rising vaccination rates have lowered the risk of COVID-19 infection.

Masks have been mandatory indoors and out across most of Spain, regardless of social-distancing, since last summer.

But daily case numbers and the nationwide infection rate have been declining for months and nearly 40% of the population has received at least one vaccine shot, prompting some authorities to reconsider the rules.

After the capital Madrid and the central region of Castilla la Mancha said they were considering easing restrictions, Spain's health emergency chief Fernando Simon said wearing masks outdoors might not be needed in the near future.

"If the (situation) evolves as it is currently doing ... I believe it could be feasible that the mask would not be needed in outdoor open spaces in mid or late June and very likely, almost with (absolute) certainty, at the end of July," he told a news briefing.

Simon, who defended a national approach to easing restrictions rather than a regional one, said it could even be possible to relax the use of masks indoors among highly vaccinated groups before the end of July.

Castilla la Mancha's leader Emiliano Garcia-Page had said earlier his region was determined to abolish the obligation to wear face masks in open spaces before the rule's anniversary in July but added he was seeking a nationwide approach.

His Madrid counterpart, Isabel Diaz Ayuso, who won a landslide election this month after campaigning on looser pandemic restrictions, said her administration was considering a similar move.

Spain's infection rate as measured over the past two weeks fell to 121 cases per 100,000 on Monday, nearly halving since the end of April, although with sharp regional disparities.

Spain's tally of cases rose by 9,732 to 3.68 million from Friday while the death toll climbed by 70 to 79,905, Health Ministry data showed

 

Simple Naming System for COVID Variants

The World Health Organization is announcing a new nomenclature for the COVID-19 variants that were previously - and somewhat uncomfortably - known either by their technical letter-number codes or by the countries in which they first appeared.

Hoping to strike a fair and more comprehensible balance, WHO said it will now refer to the most worrisome variants - known as "variants of concern" - by letters in the Greek alphabet.

So the first such variant of concern, which first appeared in Britain and can be also known as B.1.1.7, will be known as the "alpha" variant. The second, which turned up in South Africa and has been referred to as B.1.351, will be known as the "beta" variant.

A third that first appeared in Brazil will be called the "gamma" variant and a fourth that first turned up in India the "delta" variant. Future variants that rise to "of concern" status will be labeled with subsequent letters in the Greek alphabet.

WHO said a group of experts came up with the new system, which will not replace scientific naming systems but will offer "simple, easy to say and remember labels" for variants.

 

Mask Policies Differ Across U.S.

Many state and city officials welcomed news from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday that fully vaccinated people in the U.S. can forgo masks and social distancing.

But some still stopped short of immediately implementing the changes.

The CDC said vaccinated people must follow existing state, local or tribal laws and regulations on masks and social distancing, as well as policies at businesses and workplaces.

As of Friday morning, the rules looked very different from one state, city or county to the next.

 

Many Republican-led states, including South Carolina, Alabama and Texas, already lifted mask mandates to some degree. Once the CDC made its announcement, many Democratic-led states, including Kentucky, Oregon, Washington, Nevada and Illinois, began making changes.

Officials in Connecticut, Colorado and Vermont announced that, while they weren't immediately implementing the CDC's new standards, they would do so in the coming days.

Vermont Gov. Phil Scott called the new CDC guidance "incredibly encouraging."

While the state reviewed the CDC recommendations' implications Thursday, Scott said "Vermont will follow suit." Updates on the state's mask mandate are set to be shared publicly on Friday at 11 a.m. ET.

Nevada's health department reminded residents that health risks from COVID-19 still persist.

"COVID-19 is still very much a threat in our State and many Nevadans may choose to continue using masks based on their and their families' personal health concerns," Nevada Health Response said. "Others should respect this choice."

The state is still allowing private businesses to have their own more-restrictive mask policies. Each of Nevada's counties also still has the authority to establish its own social distancing standards.

More cautious approach

Mask mandates remain in place in states such as California, New York, Massachusetts and New Jersey as state leaders confer with public health experts on next steps.

At the city level, mayors of Washington, D.C., and New York City said they are also reviewing the new guidelines before making any decisions.

San Francisco Department of Public Health shared that it's waiting on the rest of California to decide on updated mask-wearing guidelines before altering local rules.

The department tweeted, "As we recently did with the new guidance on outdoor masking for fully vaccinated people, we must wait for the state to adopt the updated guidelines before making changes to the local health order that we consider safe."

 

KNH Introduced HEPA Grade Meltblown

KNH has been dedicated to meltblown technology for more than 50 years, which is widely applied in the medical and personal protective filter material. KNH has officially entered the high-end filtration market by launching the HEPA grade meltblown nonwovens with high efficiency and high permeability.

KNH is the first manufacturer of air through and meltblown nonwovens in Taiwan. The main nonwoven products it produces are air through, thermal bond, airlaid, spunlace, meltblown and calender bond. It has served customers all around the world and produces more than 20,000 tons of nonwovens per year. Due to the impact of Covid-19, KNH expanded meltblown production lines in 2020 to meet the high demand from worldwide customers. This year, KNH launched the HEPA grade meltblown nonwoven with high efficiency and high permeability to supply the high-end filtration market.

Compared with the general meltblown nonwovens, KNH HEPA Meltblown nonwovens can meet the requirements of high-efficiency filtration H10-H14, with the lower air resistance and higher performance. The efficiency can be achieved up to 99.995%; the air resistance can be decreased around 30-40%. Therefore, KNH HEPA Meltblown nonwovens can also provide medical and personal protection filters with more breathable, comfortable, and protective options.

Established in 1969, KNH's plants are based throughout China. It focuses on nonwoven production and OEM for the international well-known brands with a global vision. 

 

 

Ahlstrom-Munksjo has Media Specifically for Electric Vehicles

 

Ahlstrom-Munksjö advances further into the growth segment of electrification, launching its first product offering totally dedicated to filtration media solutions for electric vehicles.

Today, electricity is the fastest growing source of energy and clearly the fuel of the future. With infrastructure for electric-vehicle charging rapidly expanding, double digit annual growth is expected for electric vehicles, supporting key environmental goals of reducing air pollution and addressing climate change.

It is estimated that only-electric vehicles will represent 25% of light vehicles production in 2030.

Ahlstrom-Munksjö understands the market challenges and has developed several commercial solutions to address unmet customer needs for high performance filtration materials for electric vehicles. This includes filtration solutions for cabin air, transmission and cooling systems. 

“I am very pleased to introduce our initial range of products from the FiltEV platform,” says Cedric Vallet, head of Business Development, Industrial Filtration & New Vehicles. “Utilizing our extensive technological platforms already in place, the offering highlights the innovative benefits of our new portfolio for electric vehicles and demonstrates our commitment to this market. Consequently, we plan to further expand our portfolio of solutions in this field, also including fuel cell air intake, over the coming months.”

“We are determined to take the necessary steps that will ensure Ahlstrom-Munksjö becomes a leading filtration supplier to the electric vehicle market,” says Daniele Borlatto, executive vice president, Filtration & Performance Solutions business area. “The launch reinforces our commitment to electrification, now delivering filtration solutions for electric vehicles, alongside our FortiCell platform, of fiber-based solutions for energy storage.”  

The addressable annual market opportunity for filtration media used in electric vehicles is expected to grow at around 35% per year up until 2030, reaching approximately €100 million.

 

Neenah has New HVAC Filter Media

Recently, Neenah Filtration launched the filter media portfolio NeenahPure covering efficiencies from ePM10 50% to ePM1 80% (ISO 16890) and M5-F9 (EN779:2012). Its highly charged materials reach efficiencies > 99.9% (KCL, 0.3µm, 5.3cm/s). NeenahPure filter media are available for pleatable and bag filter elements.

Besides its standard portfolio, Neenah Filtration provides tailormade solutions to satisfy individual requirements in regards to performance and runability. It offers high precision slitting according to its customers’ specifications (combination of different widths, narrow widths etc.), online inspection systems, high flexibility in the composition of media, and different bonding technologies.

NeenahPure media avoids harmful fiber shedding, has a very high dust holding capacity (DHC), a good pressure loss and efficiency ratio, a very high mechanical stability, and flame retardancy.

 

Air Filters and Masks will be Needed in the Wildfire Season

In August and September of last year some areas in the western states were under smoke advisories for weeks at a time due to numerous wildfires. If the weather in the coming months is hot, dry, and windy, and with the vegetation being dried by the multi-year drought, there could be multitudinous large fires producing conditions at least as smoky as 2020, or worse.

Smoke can have serious adverse effects on those who have asthma, COPD, heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic conditions or acute infections such as COVID-19.  Older people, pregnant women, and young children can also be at risk.

It is not practical for most people to move to a different part of the country to find better air quality, but there are some measures that can be taken to reduce the concentration of the tiny smoke particles inside the home that can cause problems when they get into the lungs.

Closing windows will not keep smoke out of a structure. However, if you have a good quality air filtration device, the air inside the house should be better than what is outside with the windows closed. When the smoke is dense, it would be difficult for one portable air cleaner with a HEPA filter to treat the entire home, so if you only have one, put it where you spend the most time, such as the bedroom.

If you have a central air conditioner or heating system, slide-in filters can be purchased that are rated to remove very small particles like smoke and pollen. Filters are rated under various criteria — one is MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value). The higher the MERV number the better it is at removing the small particles. And medium-efficiency MERV filters in the 8 to 13 range can remove about 90 percent or more of these.

You can also tape a MERV 8 to 13 filter on a box fan and it will do a pretty good job of removing smoke in a small room. Unfortunately not all filter manufacturers use the MERV rating system. The New York Times reports that Filtrete, one of the larger filter companies, said their rating system, MPR, can be translated to MERV. “Filtrete said MPR 1900 is equivalent to MERV 13, MPR 1500 to MERV 12, and MPR 1000 to MERV 11.”

Respirator masks used during the pandemic, such as well-fitting N95, KN95 and KF94 masks, can offer protection when outside. A simple cloth mask can’t filter the PM 2.5 smoke particles.

 

Ohio COVID-19 Indoor Air Quality Assistance Program will Pay for Some Air Filter Upgrades

The Ohio COVID-19 Indoor Air Quality Assistance Program allows eligible private employers to receive reimbursement for eligible inspections, assessments, maintenance, and/or improvements to indoor heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems to help control the spread of COVID-19. Employers are not eligible for this program if any other federal funding has been supplied for the same purposes. Who is eligible?

• Facilities licensed by the Ohio Department of Health (nursing homes, assisted living/residential care facilities, and hospices).
• Facilities recognized by the Ohio Department of Aging (senior centers, adult day support centers that are Medicaid providers in the PASSPORT, Ohio Home Care, and MyCare Ohio Waiver programs).
• Facilities certified/licensed by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (substance use disorder residential treatment providers, class 2 and class 3 residential treatment providers, and adult care facilities).
• Effective Feb. 26, 2021, eligible entities were expanded to include facilities certified/recognized by the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities – Residential Waiver settings (group homes, intermediate care facilities, and adult day support providers that are Medicaid providers and have submitted a Provider Assurance Form).
• The Employer/facility must have a physical location in Ohio.

There are two types of eligible expenses: Inspection/assessment (execution of deferred maintenance/repair) or improvement (enhancement to an existing system/facility).

There are three categories of deferred maintenance or repair expenses: Maintenance, ventilation, and filtration.

Maintenance expenses could include:

·         Engineering services, recommissioning, or retro-commissioning of existing HVAC systems related to improved indoor air quality

·         Servicing of HVAC/ventilation systems to ensure that ventilation and outdoor air intake systems are operating as intended; and/or

·         Replacing failed temperature, humidity and CO2 monitoring for improved Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) monitoring.

Ventilation expenses could include:

·         Recommissioning or retro-commissioning of existing ventilation systems related to improving or increasing ventilation

·         Verification of review that the existing systems are providing code-required ventilation; and/or

·         Purchase of new temperature humidity and CO2 monitoring for improved IAQ monitoring.

Filtration expenses could include:

·         Purchase of MERV-13 or higher filters for HVAC system to improve IAQ.

There are four categories of expenses for enhancement to an existing system facility: Maintenance, ventilation, filtration, and secondary device action.

Ventilation enhancement could include:

• Improvements to a building control system to allow for increased ventilation 
• HVAC system modifications to allow for increased ventilation
• Ventilation modifications due to fewer building occupants
• Purchase of new temperature and CO2 monitoring for improved IAQ monitoring; and/or
• Adding or converting to operable windows to allow for natural ventilation.

Filtration enhancement could include:

• Purchase of commercial-grade portable air filtration system with minimum MERV-13 or HEPA filter.

Secondary device enhancement could include:

• Purchase of air treatment devices that may include (but are not limited to) ionization technology or UV-C technology designed to reduce airborne pathogens.

Eligible expenses do not include the following:

• Purchase of N95 masks
• Installation of Plexiglas barriers; or
• Repair of environmental controls in a vehicle used to transport residents.

Deadlines/Requirements:

• The maximum allowable expense is $15,000.
• Goods must be installed, operational, and the receipts for the products/services submitted by June 30, 2021.
• HVAC contractors need to be licensed by the Ohio Construction Licensing Board to perform work on commercial building in Ohio. Professional engineers (firms) need to be licensed in Ohio to practice engineering and design HVAC system modifications. A facility cannot use an out-of-state HVAC company to provide services.

 

Camfil Video Analyzes Upgrade Options

In a November video, air filtration experts Mark Davidson and Joe Randolph discuss the available options for upgrading the air filtration systems in buildings with limited space for air filters.

Upgrading your air filtration system is a crucial step in protecting facilities and commercial buildings against the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Cognizant authorities such as the  CDC and ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers) recommend an air filter with a minimum rating of MERV 13. MERV 14 is preferred. In some jurisdictions, MERV 13  is a mandatory condition that must be met. 

However, many smaller rooftop HVAC systems are configured to hold only 2-inch depth air filters. Air filters with higher MERV values are generally more effective and economical to operate if they are deeper than 2 inches.  What do you do when your rooftop unit is only set up with 2-inch tracks? 

If 2-inch tracks don’t have the capacity to hold air filters that provide long-lasting, high-quality filtration, why aren’t they manufactured with a larger track? “Manufacturers want to maintain the integrity of the unit’s footprint,” says Camfil’s Director of National Distribution Sales for U.S. and Mexico.

Joe Randolph, who has over 32 years of experience in the air filtration and HVAC industries. “In other words, 2-inch air filter tracks give OEMs the flexibility to keep many air handling units a  standard size. There are millions of these units in service right now and devoting a greater area for air filters in certain models would lessen direct replacement and cost them a competitive advantage.”

Option 1: Replace Your Rooftop HVAC Handling Unit

Ideally, according to Camfil’s air filtration experts, if your budget allows for it, you should contact an HVAC mechanical contractor who can advise you on the feasibility of extending the unit size in order to accommodate larger and deeper filters. The more space you have, the more air filter options you’ll have.  Having a wide range of air filters to choose from will allow you to install the highest quality air filtration available to ensure you’ve taken steps to mitigate your risk from  COVID-19. 

Most air filters in rooftop HVAC units with 2-inch tracks are only able to protect the coils and circulation equipment from harmful debris. They are not capable of significantly improving indoor air quality. By investing in a mechanical retrofit of your existing air handling unit so it can hold larger filters, you’ll reap the benefits that come from more effective, efficient air filters.  

Option 2: Opt for a MERV-A Rated Air Filters that Provide the Same Protection. 

If you can’t afford to dramatically modify existing HVAC equipment, you can still find MERV-A rated filters, but they will have a higher operational cost. Many MERV 13 rated filters (note: non-A-rated filters)  use an electrostatic charge to improve the efficiency of the air filter without having to use larger amounts of filtering material. Over time, this charge dissipates and the effectiveness often degrades to approximately the equivalent of a MERV 8 filter. 

Filters with a MERV-A rating have been manufactured to a MERV value without relying on an electrostatic charge, so they maintain the indicated efficiency for their entire service life. There are MERV-A 14A rated air filters that are 2-inches deep, but they will have a higher pressure drop and shorter service life. However, they will deliver MERV-14 performance so you have to decide if the operational cost is feasible in your situation. If not, one alternative would be a MERV-A 9A air filter which spends the majority of its service life performing at a higher level than charged MERV 13. “The reality is, you’re going to be getting longer life and closer to that MERV-13 recommendation,” says Randolph, 

Option 3: Consider an In-Room Air Filtration Unit.

If you need or want extra protection, but can’t manage either of the above options, there are supplemental air filtration systems available that you can use. In-room air purifiers equipped with HEPA air filtration don’t require any special infrastructure and provide among the highest level of protection commercially available. 

“A stand-alone air cleaner is going to be plug and play. You’d put that air cleaner in a conference room or a lobby or a classroom, plug it into a standard outlet, and you’d be able to provide clean air to that room,” says Randolph,  “The great thing about these products is that it far exceeds the CDC recommendation or even the air quality that we see in some areas of a hospital.”

Smith System Launches New, Mobile Air Purifying Unit for Learning Spaces with CRI Filter

Smith System is helping teachers and students return to school safely with the launch of Cascade Air. The high-performance, commercial air purifier for learning environments. Using well-proven HEPA air filtration technology, Cascade Air cycles air to remove airborne contaminants 0.3 microns and larger, including the SARS-CoV-2 virus, allergens, and odors.

The highly effective, mobile purifier gives schools greater control over where air filtration is needed, in a low-profile design that blends seamlessly into classrooms. Jim Stelter, President at Smith System, said, "Students and teachers are excited to be learning in person again, so there’s a lot of talking going on in classrooms. Cascade Air lets schools create safer learning, room by room, with localized air filtration. It’s a great mitigation strategy for busy spaces.” Stelter said the unit also includes variable speeds so that teachers can control background noise.

"Students and teachers are excited to be learning in person again, so there’s a lot of talking going on in classrooms. Cascade Air lets schools create safer learning, room by room, with localized air filtration. It’s a great mitigation strategy for busy spaces.” Stelter said the unit also includes variable speeds so that teachers can control background noise.

The compact, wheeled unit pairs Smith System’s PreK–12 educational furniture expertise with Clean Rooms International (CRI), experts in commercial air-handling equipment for education, healthcare, aeronautics and other sensitive spaces. Cascade Air features a CRI’s SAMÒ MicroSound GS air purifier with HEPA filter housed inside Smith’s Cascade™ mid-cabinet storage unit. The unit is part of Smith’s popular Cascade™ classroom storage systems line with versatile options in mobile storage units and teacher desks.

Cascade Air uses a two-step air filtration process. Room air flows through an HVAC pre-filter in front and a certified HEPA filter in the back with zero bypass. Together, they collect particles as small as 0.3 microns, including respiratory droplets, with 99.99% effectiveness.

Unlike other school air purifiers, Cascade Air uses an energy-efficient motor that powers up to six air changes per hour in an average-size classroom. Experts recommend five or more air changes each hour. Most competing units offer two. Other notable features include:

Variable speed control lets teachers minimize background hum. The commercial-grade fan can run on high 24-7 for years or be switched to low during class time.

Cascade Air qualifies for government funds (CARES Act, ESSER Fund and GEER Fund) earmarked to improve air quality, reduce the spread of COVID-19, and maintain school operations during and after the pandemic.