Surgical Smoke Hazards: Causes and Exposure

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Surgical smoke has a very unpleasant smell, and it can produce an immediate hazard for surgeons through obstructing their view of the surgical site.

But the major risk associated with such procedures is that both diathermy and surgical smoke emissions can contain numerous toxic gases, particulates, viruses, bacteria and other harmful vapours.

Surgical Smoke Causes

Some surgical procedures involve diathermy – the use of heat from an electric current to either cut tissue or seal bleeding vessels. This process can produce certain emissions that are invisible to the naked eye. But thermally destroying tissues by any means, whether it’s through diathermy, lasers, ultrasound, or even high speed drills, can also produce surgical smoke.

Surgical Smoke Exposure

Among numerous potentially harmful substances, one study found that surgical smoke contains acrylonitrile and hydrogen cyanide. These are volatile, colourless, and toxic chemicals that can be absorbed into the lungs through the skin and via the gastrointestinal tract.

Short Term Effects of Surgical Smoke Exposure

Exposure to surgical smoke has been linked to a number of acute health conditions:

Long Term Effects of Surgical Smoke Exposure

The long-term effects of chronic exposure to surgical smoke are still relatively unknown.

You can read more about the dangers of surgical smoke exposure through accessing the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Research Report (RR922): Evidence for exposure and harmful effects of diathermy plumes (surgical smoke).

Managing the Risks of Surgical Smoke

Healthcare professionals around the world have devised recommended practices, guidelines, standards and regulations concerning surgical smoke.

Common best-practice guidelines include:

  • Understanding the risks. All healthcare settings should have procedures in place that address the hazards of surgical smoke.
  • Adequate training. Any practitioner that may be exposed to surgical smoke should receive appropriate training to help them understand the risks and minimise their exposure.
  • Appropriate PPE. As ever, it’s important to choose the right PPE for the right procedure. When performing procedures that might produce surgical smoke, a standard surgical mask may not be adequate. Instead, practitioners should use a properly fitted respirator.

Smoke Evacuation Systems

Healthcare specialists around the world seem to agree that local exhaust ventilation (LEV) is the best defence against the risks of surgical smoke. Though operating theatres are generally well-ventilated, additional air purification systems can help control any excess smoke created by procedures.

The Blueair Health Protect 7440i Air Purifier can completely filter the air in a room of up to 38m² 4.8 times per hour. Its advanced filters can trap and kill up to 99.9% of potentially harmful particles in the air, including viruses, bacteria, and the hazardous chemicals contained in surgical smoke.

As well as supplying specialist air purifiers for healthcare settings, we also offer bespoke air quality monitoring systems. We can monitor your practitioner’s exposure to surgical smoke and other harmful substances, before presenting you with a detailed report complete with actionable recommendations.

Our workplace exposure monitoring will help you meet your COSHH obligations anywhere your staff and patients are exposed to hazardous substances in your hospital. Get in touch to talk to an air purification expert today.

 

Diathermy Smoke Plume Management & Guidance

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What is a Diathermy Smoke Plume?

A diathermy smoke plume – also known as surgical smoke – is an emission created by certain surgical procedures that involve the use of heat to destruct tissue or seal bleeding vessels. Diathermy smoke plumes can contain numerous harmful chemicals, along with viruses, bacteria, and particulate matter.

What Causes Surgical Smoke?

Many devices can produce diathermy smoke plums, including lasers, ultrasonic devices, and high speed drills and burrs.

Diathermy Smoke Exposure

Exposure can lead to viral transmission along with certain acute health conditions, including asthma and asthma-like symptoms. And little is known about the long-term effects of chronic exposure to diathermy smoke plumes.

Read our full guide to the hazards associated with diathermy smoke plumes.

Diathermy Smoke Plume Management

Healthcare providers around the world have devised recommended practices, guidelines, standards and regulations concerning diathermy smoke plumes.

The best defence against smoke plumes is the practitioner. An AORN publication advised that practitioners should “use available tools and knowledge to minimise exposure to surgical smoke. Until there are regulations that reduce the occupational hazard of surgical smoke, become an expert in what can be done.” (Emphasis ours.)

In this post, we’ll explore some of the common best-practice guidelines concerning diathermy smoke plume management.

Electrosurgery Hazard Training and Support

First, all healthcare settings should have procedures in place that address the hazards associated with electrosurgery, including the risks of diathermy smoke plumes.

Also, any practitioner that may work with electrosurgical equipment, or who may be exposed to diathermy smoke plumes, should receive appropriate training to help them understand the risks and minimise their exposure.

Key things to cover in this training include:

  • The different types of electrosurgery equipment – the function and correct use of each, and how to minimise the associated risks.
  • How to rectify simple problems, and avoid risks to other theatre staff.
  • How to store electrosurgical items during procedures when they’re not in use.

Electrosurgical Equipment Storage & Management

There should be specific procedures in place regarding the use, storage and management of electrosurgical equipment.

Staff should be able to tell whether electrosurgical machines are in good order, and whether they’ve been correctly maintained. They should therefore know which checks to make prior to use.

To reduce the risks of smoke plumes and other health hazards, electrosurgical teams should aim to use the lowest power setting possible for safe and effective cutting and coagulation.

Patient Preparation

Practitioners should be familiar with preparing patients for procedures. But there are certain factors that may affect the use of electrosurgery:

  • The patient’s age, weight and fat distribution.
  • Active implants, such as pacemakers. Cardiologist teams may need to perform additional checks before and after the operation.
  • Considerations regarding the return electrode – such as the patient’s allergy to the electrode gel, and the position of the electrode in relation to the patient, the surgical site, and any scars, metal implants or other foreign bodies.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

As is always the case, it’s important to choose the right PPE for the right procedure.

When performing procedures that might produce surgical smoke, a standard surgical mask may not be adequate, as it may not filter out the small particles contained within the diathermy smoke plume.

So instead, practitioners should use a properly fitted facepiece respirator, such as an N95.

It’s important to test the respirator’s seal to ensure a correct fit. A specialist face fit testing service can help you ensure that all members of the electrosurgical team can depend on their respirators to protect them from the harmful effects of diathermy smoke plumes.

Smoke Evacuation Systems

Local exhaust ventilation (LEV) is one of the best defences against the risks of surgical smoke. This involves using specialist smoke extraction systems to remove the diathermy smoke plume at source. This, coupled with adequate PPE and a resilient and informed electrosurgical team, will make a huge difference in managing the risks of diathermy smoke plumes in operating theatres.

Operating theatres are generally well-ventilated, with strict regulations advising a set number of air changes per hour. But on top of these advanced air filtration systems, additional air purification units can help control any excess smoke created by procedures.

The Blueair Health Protect 7440i Air Purifier can completely filter the air in a room of up to 38m² the suggested 4.8 times per hour. Its advanced filters can trap and kill up to 99.9% of potentially harmful particles in the air down to 0.1 micron. This includes viruses, bacteria, and the hazardous chemicals contained in diathermy smoke plumes.

As well as supplying specialist air purifiers for healthcare settings, we also offer bespoke air quality monitoring systems. We can monitor your practitioner’s exposure to diathermy smoke plumes, before presenting you with a detailed report complete with actionable recommendations.

Further Guidance

 

How to Clean & Prevent Infection in GP Waiting Rooms

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Every year, the UK is hit by multiple viruses. Some of these are seasonal, including influenza A, influenza B, RSV, and rhinovirus. And of course, we must now live with Covid-19 alongside these common viruses.

GP waiting rooms can inadvertently help spread infection. Patients may visit their GP about an unrelated condition, but leave having caught a new infection.

In this post, we’ll explore some of the measures GP surgeries can adopt to prevent and control the risks of infection, through the winter months and beyond.

New IPC Guidance Policies for GP Surgeries

The NHS Infection Prevention and Control team (IPC) released a new set of policies in July 2021. For more information, you can read the latest IPC guidelines for general practice.

Some of the advised measures include:

  • Site specific policies. All GP surgeries should have effective infection prevention control policies relevant for their practice. It should be regularly updated and accessible to all. Also, all surgeries should appoint an IPC lead, who has the authority to implement change where it’s needed.
  • The IPC policy should cover staff training requirements, and specify how frequently staff should receive training updates.
  • Contractors should follow a general cleaning schedule. This should include detailed guidelines for specific areas, fixtures, and fittings, with priority given to high-frequency touch items including door handles and light switches.
  • The IPC policy should advise on what PPE to use, and when. It should also cover staff training in effective use and disposal of PPE.

Cleaning & Infection Control in GP Waiting Rooms

Cleaning Waiting Room Soft Furnishings

Viruses and bacteria can linger and spread in the fibres of carpets and curtains. For this reason, clinical areas should not have carpets. But there should be clear policies in place for the frequency of cleaning carpets, curtains, and other soft furnishings in waiting rooms. There should also be specific guidelines to follow should any item of furniture get contaminated with body fluids or spillages.

Hand Hygiene in GP Waiting Rooms

All staff and patients should have access to adequate handwashing facilities. Staff should follow standard hand hygiene protocols. All patients should be encouraged to wash their hands as frequently as possible, and ideally before and after they interact with doors, light switches, and other possible infection vectors.

Cough and Sneeze Etiquette Communication

Catch it, bin it, kill it. All staff and patients should cover their nose and mouth with a disposable tissue when sneezing, coughing, wiping or blowing. They should then immediately dispose of that tissue before washing their hands. GP surgeries can promote good cough and sneeze etiquette among their patients through making the guidelines clearly visible, and through providing tissues, plastic bags for disposal, and hand hygiene facilities.

Read our full guide to standard infection control precautions. These precautions are relevant to all healthcare settings, which of course includes GP surgeries.

Ventilation Concerns for Infection Prevention and Control

GP waiting rooms are enclosed spaces where infected patients can spend extended periods of time. And in the winter months, waiting rooms are less likely to be adequately ventilated. Surgeries will keep their doors and windows closed while running their central heating. These conditions can create a hotbed of infection.

A good air purifier can completely filter the air in a room, trapping and killing any viruses that might be lingering in the atmosphere. This, combined with an effective cleaning policy, can make a huge difference in reducing the risk of infection in GP waiting rooms.

The Blueair air purifier has a Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) that will completely filter the air in a GP waiting room 4.8 times an hour. It uses a series of filters to capture 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.1 micron – including many common seasonal viruses and bacteria.

You can browse our full range of air purifiers for healthcare settings.

Got some questions? Need some support? Get in touch to talk to our friendly team of expert air purification consultants.

How to Choose the Right Hospital-Grade Air Purifier

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For an air purifier to be hospital-grade, it must meet any relevant standards for each specific setting.

Air Purifier Requirements for Hospital Departments

Different areas of the hospital will have different requirements. Some areas will have to meet COSHH obligations concerning exposure to certain hazardous substances. Whereas public spaces may simply need a good supply of clean air to help prevent the spread of infection.

Operating theatres and other clinical areas will have much more substantial requirements. For example, it may be necessary to meet certain standards regarding the number of air changes per hour (ACH).

Questions to Ask When Choosing the Right Hospital-Grade Air Purifier

So there is no off-the-shelf, one-size-fits-all solution for air purifiers in hospitals. Instead, for each setting you must consider:

  • How big is the space? All air purifiers will specify how large an area they can effectively clean. Larger spaces will need larger air purifiers, or perhaps even multiple purifiers.
  • Who will be using the space? As we outlined above, different areas of the hospital will have different requirements. For public and communal areas, such as canteens, corridors and waiting rooms, you’ll simply need a reliable supply of clean air to help with infection control. But in clinical areas, you may have to meet specific requirements, or monitor for specific substances.
  • What regulations do I have to meet? Match the air purifier’s specifications to whichever legislation or regulations apply to each setting. You’ll have to meet certain COSHH obligations in some areas of your hospital. In other areas, you may have to meet guidelines for the number of air changes per hour (ACH).
  • What sort of HVAC system am I working with? In hospitals and other healthcare settings, air purifiers are but one part of a wider heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) solution. The air purifier you choose must integrate with, or else complement, the existing system. You can read our full guide to air filtration systems in hospitals.

Examples of Hospital-Grade Air Purifiers

We specifically designed our range of HealthProtect air purifiers for hospitals and other healthcare settings. They use a series of advanced systems to provide 24/7 removal of viruses and bacteria, while quietly filtering the air to clean it for better infection prevention and control.

The Blueair HealthProtect 7740i air purifier is available in a choice of two sizes – one can filter the air in rooms up to 38m², while the larger model can filter the air in rooms up to 62m². Each model can deliver complete room filtration ever 12.5 minutes, as per industry recommendations. And each is capable of trapping and killing 99% of viruses and bacteria while removing dust, pollen, dander, mould, VOCs, and odours.

Need some guidance on choosing the right air purifier for your hospital? Get in touch to talk to our friendly team of expert air purification consultants.

We also offer bespoke air quality monitoring services. This involves monitoring staff and patient exposure levels to harmful substances, such as Entonox, sevoflurane, isoflurane, and inhalable and respirable dust. Learn more about our exposure monitoring services, and get in touch for a free quote today.

How Many Dentists Have Left the NHS?

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In the past few years, thousands of dentists have left the NHS.

How Many NHS Dentists Are There?

According to one report, at the end of 2020 there were 23,733 dentists providing NHS care in England. By the end of January 2022, this figure had fallen to 21,544.

As each dentist manages a caseload of around 2,000 patients , this mass desertion has lead to the creation of “dental deserts”, leaving approximately four million people without access to dental care on the NHS.

It looks like the problem is only going to get worse, too. According to the British Dental Association (BDA), 75% of UK dentists are likely to reduce, or further reduce, their NHS commitment over the next 12 months. 45% claim they’re going to go fully private, and 47% suggest they’re either going to change career or seek early retirement.

Why Are So Many Dentists Leaving the NHS?

Shawn Charlwood, chair of the BDA’s General Dental Practice Committee, attributes the mass exodus to dentists feeling “overstretched and underfunded” during and after the recent Covid-19 pandemic.

According to BDA figures, 87% of UK dentists have experienced symptoms of stress, burnout and other mental health problems over the last 12 months. And it seems that patients, frustrated by the lack of available NHS dentist appointments, may be taking out their anger on staff. 86% of UK dentist report that colleagues in their practice have received physical or verbal abuse from patients.

What’s the Problem with the NHS Dental Contract?

The BDA argues that the current NHS dental contract, which has been in place since 2006, “puts government contracts ahead of patient need”.

For years, this contract set untenable incentives. For example, dentists would receive the same renumeration for doing one filling as they would for doing 10. It’s for such reasons that the Health Select Committee described the contract as “unfit for purpose”.

NHS Dental Contract Changes in 2022/23

In July 2022, the government announced a number of changes to the NHS dental contract. These included:

  • A new minimum payment for hitting targets.
  • A higher reward for treating three or more teeth.
  • Dental therapists can now accept patients for certain NHS treatments, freeing up dentists’ time for more urgent and complex procedures.
  • New payment rates for more complex treatments.
  • Updates to the NHS website and directory of services to help patients find dentists in their local area.

The BDA argued that these new contractual arrangements “do not even begin to address the system’s fundamental flaws… this is another attempt to conjure up more capacity without adding any new investment.”

The Collapse of Dentistry on the NHS?

In September 2022, NHS England released on update on the reforms their dental contract changes for 2022/2023.

The BDA, who previously claimed that “dentists are simply not seeing a future in the NHS”, seems cautiously optimistic that these changes may make a difference. However, they’ve also described these changes as “modest and marginal”, claiming that dentistry needs an immediate funding injection of £880m to stabilise the situation in the short-term.

Eddie Crouch, chairman of the BDA, called for “real commitment; root-and-branch reform and adequate funding.”

And unless the government makes this “real commitment” soon, it seems that dentists will continue to leave the NHS, and those “dental deserts” will continue to grow.

A Message to Dental Patients

Despite the problems many are having seeing a dentist on the NHS, Chief Dental Officer for England Sara Hurley said that anyone experiencing tooth issues should contact their local dentist as usual.

She said: “Infection prevention and control measures to protect staff and patients were introduced during the pandemic. These limited the number of procedures NHS dentists could carry out.”

“However, these restrictions have now been lifted enabling practices to operate at full capacity for the first time in two years, so anyone with concerns about their dental health should contact their local dentist as they usually would or seek advice from NHS 111.”

A Message to Dental Surgeries

We know that the last few years have been difficult and that you’ve probably had to deal with higher levels of staff absences due to infection. We’d love you to see how,  by installing our Blueair air purifiers in your surgery, you can tacklethis issue and reduce illness. Why not get in touch with us to find out how we can support you?

Smoking Outside Hospitals: Bans, Laws & Guidelines

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In March 2022, Scotland banned smoking outside hospital buildings.

Smoking Ban Outside Hospital Rules in Scotland

The new legislation aims to achieve the following:

  • To introduce an enforceable smoke-free perimeter of 15 metres outside of hospital buildings.
  • To support the denormalisation of smoking on hospital grounds. This, in turn, should help reduce tobacco use across the population.
  • To reinforce the NHS’s position as “an exemplar of health promotion within society”.
  • To support people in their efforts to stop smoking.

A secondary aim of the legislation is to prevent and reduce hospital staff and patients’ exposure to second-hand smoke at entrances, and near windows and vents.

The policy became law in September 2022. Now, anyone caught smoking within 15 metres of a hospital building in Scotland could be fined up to £1,000.

Smoking Outside Hospitals Rules Across the UK?

Scotland was not the first UK home nation to ban smoking outside hospitals. Northern Ireland banned smoking on the grounds of any hospital in 2016. However, the law allows for designated smoking rooms “with strict conditions” in care homes and hospices.

Wales introduced legislation in March 2021 requiring all hospital grounds to be smoke-free, with £100 fines for anyone found breaking the law.

England is yet to see an enforceable blanket ban on smoking outside hospitals. However, a 2019 Public Health England (PHE) report found that 69% of NHS trusts in England have banned smoking completely. So it may only be a matter of time before England joins the rest of the UK in outright banning smoking outside hospitals.

How to Improve Air Quality in and Around Hospitals

A recent report found that 25% of UK hospitals are situated in areas with dangerously high levels of air pollution. Improving air quality is a question of reducing the levels of pollutants and other hazardous substances in the atmosphere.

Preventing staff, patients and other visitors from smoking within a certain radius of a hospital can make a positive difference to air quality, as it makes it effectively impossible for harmful second-hand smoke to enter the hospital’s air via doors, windows or vents.

But this is just one strategy by which hospitals can improve the air quality on their premises:

  • Strict speed limits – Where possible, hospitals should aim to limit the amount of traffic allowed onsite. But as this may not be practical, they should instead enforce strict speed limits for all onsite traffic. The faster a vehicle travels, the more fuel it burns, and the more harmful emissions it creates. Read our full guide to how speed limits can make a difference to air quality.
  • Air quality consultations – Specialist air quality consultants can test the air quality in key locations in and around the hospital. As well as measuring for air pollution levels in public areas of the hospital, they can also test for staff and patient exposure to potentially harmful substances in clinical settings. Read our full guide to how air quality consultants can help reduce air pollution.
  • Air filtration and purification – Hospitals can use an advanced heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, along with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters to regulate airflow and improve air quality through removing viruses, bacteria, and other harmful substances from the atmosphere. Read our full guide to effective air filtration in healthcare settings.

Need a reliable air purification system for your hospital? Take a look at our advanced range of HealthProtect air purifiers for healthcare settings.

Book An Air Quality Consultation For Your Hospital

Unless you’re one of the few remaining NHS trusts in England who still allow for smoking outside hospitals, it’s very likely that your healthcare setting is already benefiting from a reduction in harmful second-hand smoke.

However, even with a smoking ban in place, your hospital may still be at risk from air pollution – particularly if you’re situated near a major road. On top of this, to meet your COSHH obligations, you also need to monitor your staff and patients’ exposure to certain hazardous substances within your hospital.

We offer specialist air quality monitoring for healthcare settings. Our consultants employ both continuous monitoring and personal sampling techniques to demonstrate how pollutant levels in your atmosphere vary over a specified period. As a result, we can produce comprehensive reports based on our findings, including actionable recommendations to help you make a positive difference to your onsite air quality.

Find out more about our Air Quality Monitoring Services or get in touch to talk to one of our experts.

Omicron BA.4 and BA.5: Transmissibility & Symptoms

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Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 are two of the most recent subvariants of Covid-19 to be detected.

These two subvariants were first detected in South Africa in the early months of 2022. Each variant appears to be an offshoot of the previous BA.2 variant.

How Transmissible are Omicron BA.4 and BA.5?

A virus’s basic reproduction number (R0) is the average number of people an initial case can infect in a population with no immunity, either from vaccines or previous infection. The original Omicron strain (BA.1) had an R0 of 9.5. BA.2, of which BA.4 and BA.5 appear to be offshoots, was estimated to be 1.4 times more transmissible than BA.1.

Studies from South Africa suggest that BA.4 and BA.5 may be more transmissible than BA.2. So BA.4 and BA.5 could be the most infections variants of Omicron yet.

On top of this, these variants appear to be good at evading immunity. This means there’s a greater chance of reinfection with these strains compared to previous strains.

What Are The Symptoms of Omicron BA.4 and BA.5?

Like previous Omicron variants, BA.4 and BA.5 brings numerous flu-like symptoms. These include:

  • Coughing, sneezing, and a blocked or runny nose
  • Aches, pains, and fatigue
  • Sore throat and a hoarse voice
  • Chills, shivers, and fever
  • Loss of smell, or an altered sense of smell
  • Tight chest and shortness of breath

Preventing and Controlling Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 Infection

Data from South Africa and the UK suggest that BA.4 and BA.5 waves may not be associated with an increase in severe disease and death.

Nonetheless, this highly transmissible strain may still pose a risk to elderly and immunocompromised people, and to people with certain underlying health conditions. On top of this, extensive infections may place a further strain on an already overburdened health service.

Strategies for Preventing the Spread of Covid-19 Variants in Healthcare Settings

We’ve put together an essential guide to preventing the spread of Covid-19 in hospitals and other healthcare settings.

Strategies include:

  • Standard infection control precautions, such as effective hand hygiene and good respiratory and cough etiquette.
  • Effective PPE use, including proper protocols for putting on and taking off equipment.
  • Cleaning for infection prevention and control, with specific procedures depending on the setting.

Read our full guide to preventing the spread of Covid-19 in healthcare settings.

Air Filtration for Effective Infection Control

Like the previous variants, BA.4 and BA.5 are airborne viruses. A recent report from the University of Cambridge demonstrated how an air filtration system in a Covid-19 ward successfully removed almost all traces of the airborne virus.

In public and communal areas of healthcare settings, including waiting rooms, canteens, wards and corridors, air filtration systems can make a huge difference in preventing the spread of BA.4 and BA.5. They trap and kill viruses, bacteria and other harmful particles while quietly filling rooms with cleaner, healthier air.

Our range of HealthProtect air purifiers can completely filter the air in a room as large as 62m² once every 12.5 minutes. The advanced filters can trap up to 99.97% of particles down to 0.1 microns, and up to 99% of viruses and bacteria – including the BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron variants.

We can help you in your fight against Covid-19 and other respiratory viruses this winter and beyond. Get in touch to talk to one of our infection control experts today.

UVC vs. HEPA Air Filters and Purifiers

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An intelligent air filtration system plays an integral part of effective infection control in hospitals.

If you’re considering a new air filtration system for your hospital or healthcare setting, then it’s important that you choose a system you can depend on.

In this post we’ll explore the differences between two different types of air filters and purifiers – UVC and HEPA – to help you decide which system is right for you.

Be sure to also read our essential guide to air purifiers, and how they work.

What is a UVC Air Purifier?

A UVC air purifier uses ultraviolet light to kill viruses and bacteria in the air. They capture air and pass it through a filter, before passing it through an internal chamber where it’s exposed to UV-C light. Some, but not all, UVC air purifiers will then filter the air once more before releasing it back into the room.

UVC air purifiers can be hugely effective at trapping and destroying airborne viruses and bacteria, so in theory they could help with infection prevention and control in hospitals. However, there are some serious downsides to UVC air purifiers that may make them ineffective for use in healthcare settings:

  • It’s not a one-size fits all approach. Most UVC air purifiers are designed to be installed in existing air duct systems. The efficiency of the purifier will then depend on a number of variables, including the air flow, the air temperature range, and the dimensions and materials of the air duct. Designing the system in accordance with these variables can drive up the cost of installation.
  • They’re not wholly effective. UVC air purifiers are good for catching and killing viruses and bacteria, and their pre- and post-filtering processes can also help remove other hazardous and toxic air pollutants. However, UVC air purifiers cannot currently remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air, such as those generated by cleaning products.
  • They can produce harmful by-products. When high-energy UV-C light breaks down oxygen particles, these particles can then combine with other oxygen particles in the air to form ozone. Ozone is a pollutant, and exposure can lead to airway inflammation, coughing, and a sore throat. It can also aggravate the symptoms of existing conditions including asthma and lung disease.

HEPA Filters are Best for Healthcare

UVC air purifiers are unsuitable for healthcare settings because they’re incapable of catching all potentially harmful pollutants, and because they produce pollutants of their own.

Instead, choose a HEPA air filter for effective infection control and reliable air purification.

What is a HEPA Filter?

HEPA stands for “high-efficiency particulate air filter”. A HEPA filter features a number of thin layers of fibre laid on top of each other. This filter allows air to pass through while trapping any potentially harmful particles and pollutants. Because the filter’s fibres are layered randomly, it produces an almost-impenetrable maze. This means it’s capable of catching even the smallest of particles.

A good HEPA filter can trap 99.97% of all particles down to 0.1 microns. This includes:

  • Dust
  • Pollen
  • Mould
  • Microplastics
  • Smoke
  • Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
  • Fine particulate matter (PM2.5), including air pollution from roads and industrial processes

And apart from all this, HEPA filters can trap and kill viruses and bacteria. It’s for this reason that air purifiers play a vital role in infection control in hospital and healthcare settings.

The only downside with HEPA filters is that they require ongoing maintenance to remain effective. In a healthcare setting, for example, you’ll have to periodically change your HEPA to meet your HSE COSHH obligations.

The Best HEPA Filter for Hospitals and Healthcare Settings

Our Blueair HealthProtectTM air purifiers use HEPASilent technology to quietly fill rooms with clean air. Meanwhile, the GermShield system proactively monitors the room for viruses and bacteria, even when on standby, while the unique SpiralAir outlets effectively deliver more clean air to every corner of the room.

HEPASilent technology is quieter and more energy-efficient than a traditional HEPA filter, quickly providing a uniquely high flow of clean air. And where standard HEPA filters simply capture viruses and bacteria, HEPASilent filters use an electric charge and a high airflow to kill harmful microbes.

Thanks to this advanced system, our Blueair HealthProtectTM air purifier can remove up to 99.97% of all airborne particles in a 36m² room, with a Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) that will completely filter the air in a room 4.8 times an hour. So it’s highly effective at minimising the risks of infection and air pollution in your wards and waiting rooms. It can quickly return clean and healthy air, and if you commit to ongoing maintenance, it will continue to deliver indefinitely.

Head here to learn more about our specialist HEPA air purifiers for hospitals and healthcare settings.

Air Purifier and Filter Buying Guide – A-Z

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If you’re looking to buy an air purifier, this short A-Z glossary of terms should help you understand some of the terminology we use and how that relates to performance.

If you have any questions about air purifiers or filters that are not covered by this guide, get in touch to talk to one of our friendly air quality consultants today.

ACH

Air Changes per Hour. This figure indicates the number of times an air purifier can completely refresh the air in a room in the space of an hour.

Air Filtration System

In a healthcare setting, an air purifier can be part of a larger air filtration system that will work to create the ideal atmospheric conditions for staff and patient safety. Read our full guide to air filtration systems in hospitals.

Air Conditioning System

Systems used to control the temperature in a room. Read our guide to the differences between air conditioners and air purifiers.

Air Purifier

Air purifiers use advanced filters to remove potentially harmful particles from the air. Good air purifiers are capable of removing up to 99.97% of particles down to 0.1 micron in size, while trapping and killing up to 99% of viruses and bacteria. Take a look at our range of specialist air purifiers for healthcare settings.

CADR

Clean Air Delivery Rate. The rate at which an air purifier can completely filter the air in a room. For example, our Blueair HealthProtect 7440i air purifier has a CADR of 4.8 times an hour.

COSHH

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health. This is the UK law requiring employers in all industries to prevent or reduce workers’ exposure to certain hazardous substances. Read our full guide to meeting your COSHH obligations.

Dehumidifier

A system for removing excess moisture from the air. Read our guide to the differences between air purifiers and dehumidifiers.

Hazardous and Toxic Air Pollutant

Any pollutant which is known or suspected to be harmful to health and the environment. Examples of hazardous and toxic air pollutants include particulate matter, nitrogen oxide, ammonia, non-methane volatile organic compounds, and sulphur dioxide. Read our complete guide to hazardous and toxic air pollutants.

HVAC

Heating, ventilation and air conditioning. In healthcare settings, air filtration systems are considered a vital part of the overall HVAC system, and different areas of the hospital will have different requirements depending on the sort of procedures that are carried out.

HEPA Filter

High-efficiency particulate air filter. Read our full guide to what a HEPA filter is and how it works.

PM1

Particulate Matter (PM), a hazardous and toxic air pollutant. The number refers to the size of the particle in micrometres. PM1 contains particles with a diameter of 1 micrometre or smaller. Examples include smoke, bacteria, and pollen.

PM2.5

Particulate Matter (PM), a hazardous and toxic air pollutant. The number refers to the size of the particle in micrometres. PM2.5 contains particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or smaller. Examples include dust and pet dander. As the particles are so small, when inhaled they can travel deep into your lungs and enter your bloodstream.

PM10

Particulate Matter (PM), a hazardous and toxic air pollutant. The number refers to the size of the particle in micrometres. PM10 contains particles with a diameter of 10 micrometres or smaller, which includes viruses.

UVC

UVC stands for ultraviolet C. It’s a form of electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths between 200 and 290 nanometres. Some air purifiers use UVC light to kill viruses and bacteria in the atmosphere. While they can be an effective infection prevention control, they are not wholly suited for all healthcare settings. They are incapable of trapping VOCs, and some models produce potentially harmful by-products, including ozone. Read our full guide to why HEPA filters are the best choice for healthcare settings.

VOCs

Volatile organic compounds. An example of a hazardous and toxic air pollutant. Common sources of VOCs include combustion (such as smoking, heating, cooking and candle burning), petrol vapours, air fresheners, and cleaning products.

WEL

Workplace Exposure Limit. UK law regulates WELs for around 500 hazardous substances. These are legal limits of exposure, measured in concentrations of the hazardous substances in the air, averaged over a given timeframe. The law specifies both short- and long-term WELs. Read our full guide to WELs.

Want to Know More About Air Purifiers and Filters?

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And if you have any questions about air purifiers or filters that are not covered by this guide, get in touch to talk to one of our friendly air quality consultants today.

Blueair is our range of air purifiers that can remove and kill 99% of viruses and bacteria while catching 99.97% of particles down to 0.1 microns. Browse our complete range of BlueAir purifiers.

 

What is PM2.5 And Why is it a Risk to Hospital Patients?

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Air pollution and quality is a key concern for everyone, particularly in hospitals and healthcare settings where people can spend long periods of time or be clinically vulnerable.

What is PM2.5?

PM2.5 is a hazardous air pollutant. It is composed of particulate matter (PM) that has an aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 micrometres or smaller.

Where Does PM2.5 Come From?

There are many possible sources of PM2.5. Natural particles such as pollen and sea spray are both examples of potentially hazardous particulate matter. But human activity can create the most harmful forms of particulate matter. Wood burning, industrial and agricultural processes, manufacturing, and road traffic can increase the concentration of PM2.5 in the atmosphere.

The Health Risks of PM2.5

As these particles are so small, PM2.5 is invisible to the naked eye. But when inhaled, PM2.5 particles are small enough to pass through the lungs and enter your bloodstream. And once these particles are in your bloodstream, they may make their way to your heart, brain, and other organs.

Long-Term Exposure to PM2.5

This is why prolonged exposure to PM2.5 can result in serious illness. It is particularly hazardous for children, elderly people, and people with allergies and respiratory problems. Inhaling particulate matter can make existing conditions worse. But in the long-term, exposure can lead to the development of serious lung conditions.

Toxic Air at the Door of the NHS

The World Health Organisation (WHO) advises a maximum concentration of PM2.5 of 10μg/m3 for the annual average.

A recent report by Asthma + Lung UK found that more than 2,000 UK health centres are located in areas where PM2.5 levels are in excess of the WHO’s limit.

The report, Toxic Air at the Door of the NHS, found that 2,220 GP practices and 248 hospitals are located in areas where the concentration of PM2.5 is above 10μg/m3 for the annual average. This accounts for 1 in 3 GP surgeries and 1 in 4 hospitals in England.

If you’d like to know if your health centre is in an affected area, check our guide to the best and worst places in the UK for air pollution.

Why is PM2.5 a Risk to Hospital Patients?

PM2.5 poses a health risk for anyone. But it’s particularly hazardous for hospital patients, as many of them will already be in a vulnerable state. Air pollution can make existing conditions worse. It could even cause patients to develop additional, and potentially more serious, conditions than those for which they are undergoing treatment. (Do you have a source for to underpin this fact? If so, please reference this in the copy. If not, please just remove the sentence for now).

According to one study, over 20,200 respiratory and cardiovascular hospital admissions each year can be linked to air pollution.

And PM2.5 is not just a risk for hospital patients. It is also a risk for hospital staff. As they will be spending more time onsite than anyone, they could potentially get exposed to much higher levels of PM2.5. Over time, they may develop serious health conditions as a result.

How to Reduce PM2.5 Concentrations at Your Hospital

The current UK legal limits for PM2.5 concentration is almost double the WHO’s recommended limits. In the long-term, new legislation could help the whole country address this air pollution problem. But there are a number of initiatives that can help you make a significant difference in the short-term too:

Advanced Air Filtration for Hospitals and Other Healthcare Settings

Our Blueair HealthProtectTM  air purifiers are fitted with advanced HEPASilent technology. This is capable of catching 99.97% of particles down to 0.1 microns, including PM2.5 fine air particles, as well as VOCs, dust, mould, and up to 99% of viruses and bacteria.

Take a look at our complete range of specialist air purification systems for hospitals.