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?

Read our full guide to how air purifiers work to explore which air filtration solution is best for you.

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.

 

 

How UK Hospitals Can Stop the Spread of Covid to Inpatients

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A recent report found that more than 40,600 people were likely infected with Covid-19 while being treated in hospital in England for another reason.

What can hospitals do to protect their inpatients from infection?

In this post we’ll explore some of the measures hospitals can adopt to stop the spread of Covid, and other viruses.

Standard Infection Control Precautions

The Standard Infection Control Precautions (SICPs) are a series of practices every member of staff in every care setting must adopt to reduce the risk of infection.

SICPs include, but are not limited to:

  • Patient Placement – You must assess every patient’s infection risk as soon as they arrive, and continuously review their risk throughout their stay. You should isolate any patients who show a high risk of cross-infection as soon as they arrive.
  • Hand Hygiene – There’s a specific hand hygiene technique designed to clean your hands as thoroughly as possible. You should perform this technique before you touch a patient; after you touch a patient; after you touch a patient’s immediate surroundings; before you undertake any clean or antiseptic procedures; and after any body fluid exposure risk.
  • Respiratory and Cough Etiquette – All staff should adopt best practice techniques, and encourage patients to do the same through providing ample tissues, hand hygiene facilities, and plastic bags for disposal.
  • Safe Waste Disposal – Each healthcare setting should have four separate waste streams with a different colour coding for each. For example, you should use yellow bags to demarcate any waste that carries a risk of infection, contamination, or other forms of harm.

For more, read a full guide to all 10 SICPs.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

PPE protects both staff and patients from infection. It does this through acting as a barrier against common sources of infection, including coughs, sneezes, and bodily fluids.

For effective infection control, you should follow certain PPE protocols:

  • Store all PPE in a clean and dry area that’s close to the point of use.
  • Ensure all PPE is single-use only, unless specified by the manufacturer.
  • Put on and take off PPE in a specific order, practicing best practice hand hygiene techniques between each step.
  • Change PPE immediately after seeing each patient. You should also change your PPE immediately after performing each task or procedure.
  • Correctly dispose of all PPE immediately after use in the correct waste stream.

You should also ensure that the PPE you use is suitable for the task at hand. You can read our full guide to when and what type of PPE to use.

We also have a detailed guide to the factors you should consider when choosing PPE for your healthcare setting.

Cleaning for Infection Prevention and Control

Surgical site infections (SSIs) account for around 20% of total hospital-acquired infections. The risk of infection is at its highest during the operative procedure when the patient’s wounds are still open.

Common sources of infection include members of the operating team, the clothes they wear, the operating theatre environment, and the equipment used during the procedure.

All hospitals should have clear guidelines in place for keeping operating theatres aseptic, sterile, and restricted. These guidelines might include:

  • Thoroughly cleaning any reusable surgical instruments before use, and storing them in a sterile environment until they’re required.
  • Regular floor and surface cleaning – including the use of absorbent mats to capture fluids for safe disposal after procedures.
  • Effective zoning of the operating theatre complex based on the levels of cleanliness, the presence of microorganisms, and the types of procedures carried out.

You can read our complete guide to cleaning for infection control in operating theatres.

Air Filtration for Infection Control

A recent University of Cambridge study found that an air filtration system in a Covid-19 ward successfully removed almost all traces of the airborne virus.

Different areas of a hospital will have different air filtration requirements. Waiting rooms and other public areas will need a good supply of clean air to prevent the spread of infection among staff and inpatients, for example. And as we’ve seen, operating theatres and other treatment areas will have much more substantial air filtration needs, with a set number of air changes per hour (ACH).

You can read our full guide to air filtration systems in hospitals.

We Can Help You Control and Prevent Infection in Your Hospital

Our range of HealthProtect air purifiers are specifically designed for hospitals and other healthcare settings.

The BlueAir HealthProtect 7740i Air Purifier can deliver complete filtration every 12.5 minutes in rooms as large as 62m². Its filters can trap up to 99.97% of particles down to 0.1 microns, and up to 99% of viruses and bacteria – including the Covid-19 virus.

We also provide air purifiers for larger areas and smaller rooms.

Want to talk about how we can help reduce air pollute and improve the air quality in your hospital? Get in touch to talk to one of our air purification experts today.

25% of Hospitals in Dangerously High Levels of Air Pollution Areas

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The World Health Organisation (WHO) advises a maximum concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) of 10μg/m3 for the annual average. Fine particulate matter is a hazardous air pollutant. So when concentrations exceed the WHO’s recommended limits, it represents a major public health concern.

25% of Hospitals in Dangerously High Levels of Air Pollution Areas

Unfortunately, a recent report revealed that far too many UK hospitals are situated in areas with dangerously high levels of air pollution. The report, Toxic Air at the Door of the NHS, found that over 2,000 UK health centres are located in areas where the atmospheric concentration of PM2.5 exceeds the WHO’s recommended limits.

According to the report, 248 UK hospitals are located in highly polluted areas. This accounts for around 25% of all hospitals in the UK.

Want to know whether your local hospital’s in an affected area? Check our guide to the best and worst areas in the UK for air pollution.

The Risks of Fine Particulate Matter

What is Fine Particulate Matter?

When we talk about “fine particulate matter”, we’re referring to a huge variety of chemical compounds and materials that are less than 2.4 micrometres in diameter. Some of them are natural and organic. Others are man-made, and some are toxic.

Why is Fine Particulate Matter Harmful?

When a person inhales fine particulate matter, because the particles are so small, they can enter the bloodstream. And once these particles are in the bloodstream, they may make their way to the lungs, brain, heart, and other organs.

As a result, even short-term exposure to PM2.5 can aggravate existing conditions, including asthma and allergies. But long-term exposure can lead to the development of serious conditions including heart disease, strokes, and lung cancer.

The Effect of Pollution on Hospitals

Every single day, hundreds of people spend extended periods of time in hospitals. Staff at all levels work long shifts. For patients, even a short-term visit can last hours. And long-term patients will also invite visitors, who may themselves spend hours onsite.

So if the hospital’s located in an area with high levels of air pollution, every day hundreds and hundreds of people will be exposed to dangerously high levels of toxic particles.

For the staff, who spend longer than anyone else onsite, this could lead to a variety of serious health problems in the long-term. For patients, many of whom are already in a vulnerable condition, air pollution could aggravate existing symptoms, or even give them new health risks to contend with.

And for visitors, who might show up to the hospital feeling perfectly well, onsite air pollution could ensure they leave feeling significantly worse.

Besides endangering staff, patients and visitors, air pollution also gives hospitals plenty of other problems in both the short- and the long-term. According to one study, up to 20,200 respiratory and cardiovascular hospital admissions each year can be linked to air pollution.

At a time when NHS waiting lists are posing a serious concern, anything that can add to patient waiting times must be viewed as a major issue that requires our immediate attention.

Which Areas of the Hospital Are Most at Risk From Air Pollution?

When it comes to air pollution, some hospitals will have more to worry about than others – for example, inner-city hospitals, and any health centre located near a major road.

But for all hospitals, the most at-risk areas will be:

  • Any location frequented by members of the public, including receptions and waiting rooms.
  • Areas where the most vulnerable patients stay, including wards and communal spaces, such as gardens.
  • Any part of the hospital used by children and young people.
  • Any room of the hospital with a window facing a road.

What Can Hospitals Do To Reduce the Risks of Air Pollution?

The Asthma and Lung UK charity recently made a few suggestions for initiatives that could help address the high levels of air pollution around UK hospitals:

  • The UK government should enshrine the WHO’s recommended PM2.5 limits into law.
  • There should be more Clean Air Zones in towns and cities across the UK, where traffic flow is controlled to reduce air pollution. Read our full guide to the link between speed limits and air pollution.
  • Hospitals could start air quality monitoring schemes in places where their most vulnerable patients congregate.

How to Get Cleaner Air in Your Hospital Today

A high quality air filtration system can help you significantly improve the air quality in your hospital – and quickly.

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, which includes PM2.5 fine air particles. But at the same time, they’ll capture many other hazardous and toxic air pollutants. And crucially for a hospital, they can also capture and kill 99% of viruses and bacteria.

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

 

Air Quality & Pollution in GP Surgeries – The Effects

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Asthma and Lung UK recently tested air quality levels at GP surgeries and health centres across the UK.

Their report, Toxic Air at the Door of the NHS, revealed that more than 2,000 UK health centres are located in areas where the levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exceed World Health Organisation limits.

The World Health Organisation recommends a maximum concentration of fine particulate matter of 10μg/m3 for the annual average. Any concentrations above this limit pose a serious health risk.

This includes 2,220 GP practices and 248 hospitals. In England, that amounts to 1 in 3 GP surgeries and 1 in 4 hospitals.

Is your GP surgery or health centre in an area with high pollution levels? Learn more about the best and worst areas in the UK for air quality.

What is Fine Particulate Matter?

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is a hazardous air pollutant. It’s composed of a huge variety of chemical compounds and materials, some of which are toxic. Common sources of fine particulate matter include traffic and road transport, wood burning, industrial processes, and manufacturing. Some fine particulate matter, such as sea spray and pollen, is naturally occurring.

While natural fine particulate matter is non-toxic, it can still lead to certain health problems, particularly in people with allergies or breathing difficulties.

PM2.5, the fine particulate matter highlighted in this report, is matter composed of particles less than 2.4 micrometres in diameter.

Read our complete guide to hazardous and toxic air pollutants to learn more about fine particulate matter.

The Effects of Air Pollution in GP Surgeries

Air pollution in a GP’s surgery is a particularly critical issue, as a large proportion of people who visit the surgery will already be in a vulnerable position. It poses a risk to staff too – long-term exposure can increase the risks of developing serious lung conditions.

PM2.5 is so small that, after inhalation, it can enter the bloodstream. After this it may make its way to the heart, lungs, brain, and other organs.

So prolonged exposure to PM2.5 can lead to asthma, heart disease, strokes, and lung cancer. It can also aggravate existing conditions.

One study estimated that up to 20,200 respiratory and cardiovascular hospital admissions each year can be linked to air pollution.

How Can We Improve Air Quality in GP Surgeries?

The Asthma and Lung UK report makes a few recommendations for improving the air quality in GP surgeries:

Each of these initiatives could help improve air quality in GP surgeries in the long-term. But for a sustainable short-term solution, surgeries and health centres should also invest in a high quality air filtration system.

Cairn Technology carries out monitoring to investigate the levels of PM10, PM5, PM4, PM2.5, within multiple departments in hospitals to obtain baseline data to examine staff and public exposure to VOCs. This provides valuable information about the exposure of both staff members and public to VOCs and will assist in building a business case for the requirement of further air purification.

Our Blueair air purifiers are fitted with advanced HEPASilent technology, which can catch 99.97% of particles down to 0.1 microns. This includes PM2.5 fine air particles, as well as many other hazardous and toxic air pollutants. They can also capture and kill 99% of viruses and bacteria.

Take a look at our air purification systems for GP surgeries and other healthcare settings.

Air Purifier vs Dehumidifier vs Air Conditioner – What’s The Difference?

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Air purifiers, dehumidifiers and air conditioners all help you control the quality of the air in an indoor environment. But each affects the air in different ways, and for different purposes.

So in this post we’ll examine the difference between air purifiers, dehumidifiers, and air conditioners, before explaining which sort of environment each is suited for.

What is an Air Purifier?

Air purifiers clean the air by removing potentially harmful particles with the use of filters. The most advanced air purifiers use high-efficiency particulate air filters – or HEPA filters – to remove up to 99.97% of particles from the air down to 0.1 micron.

An advanced air purifier can help rid rooms of:

As such, air purifiers can help reduce the risks of air pollution in public buildings situated near busy roads. They can also help people manage allergies and other health conditions.

Air purifiers come in a range of sizes, and different sizes are suitable for different settings. You can get compact air purifiers for the home, and larger and more powerful air purifiers for commercial and industrial settings.

Advanced air purifiers can even trap and kill viruses and bacteria. So air purifiers also act as an essential part of the air filtration system for infection control in healthcare settings.

What is a Dehumidifier?

Dehumidifiers remove excess moisture from the air. They do this in one of two ways: Compressor dehumidifiers draw air through a filter over cold coils, causing moisture in the air to condense and drip into a water tank. Desiccant dehumidifiers, meanwhile, use an absorbent material to extract moisture from the air. When this material is heated, the moisture drips into a water tank.

The type of dehumidifier you use will depend on the temperature of the environment. Compressor dehumidifiers are best suited for heated indoor spaces, whereas desiccant dehumidifiers work better in lower temperatures, in rooms such as garages or basements.

Beyond this consideration, you can use a dehumidifier in any space that requires some moisture control. They’re good for preventing mould in poorly ventilated buildings, for example. They can also be used to set the ideal humidity levels for storing certain goods. Dehumidifiers are also regularly used in operating theatres, where excessive humidity can lead to risks with the anaesthetic.

What is an Air Conditioner?

Finally, air conditioners are used to control the temperature in a room. Some refer to air conditioners as “coolers”, and they are predominantly used to cool the air in a room. They use a combination of compressors, coils, and refrigerant chemicals to draw the warm air from a room, replacing it with cooler air.

Sometimes the term “air conditioning” is used to refer to a buildings entire central environmental control system. So technically, an air conditioner can warm a room, as well as cool it. To warm a room, rather than passing air over cooling elements, an air conditioner will instead pass it over heating elements.

Also, air conditioning systems usually include a series of filters to remove certain particles from the air. So air conditioners do purify the air to some extent, but that’s not their main function. These filters will not be fine enough to catch the sort of particles that a HEPA filter can catch.

Air conditioners are used whenever temperature control is required. They’re a standard feature in many homes in warmer parts of the world. They’re also used to make working environments more comfortable through maintaining a safe and agreeable temperature.

Air Filtration Systems for Healthcare Settings

Air purifiers, dehumidifiers, and air conditioners often work together to create the optimum environmental conditions for controlled settings.

In an operating theatre, for example, an advanced air filtration system will ensure that the air in the room is:

  • Effectively filtered and evenly re-circulated to minimise the risk of   pathogens
  • The optimum temperature for both the patient and the theatre staff, so that the staff can work comfortably for longer periods, while the patient is neither at risk of hypothermia nor heat shock.
  • The optimum humidity, again for staff comfort, and to prevent any risks with anaesthetic or other materials.

You can read our full guide to getting the right temperature and humidity levels in operating theatres here.

Whether you run a hospital, an office, or a school, we can help you meet all relevant air quality standards while keeping your staff and service users as safe and as comfortable as possible.

Get in touch to talk to our friendly team of expert infection control consultants and we’ll help you find a solution that works for you.

How Air Pollution Harms Children in Healthcare Settings

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A 2018 report revealed that thousands of UK health centres are located in areas with unsafe levels of air pollution.

The World Health Organisation recommends certain limits on the concentration of fine particulate matter in the atmosphere. This report found that over 2,000 UK health centres are located in areas where the concentration of fine particulate matter exceeds the WHO’s limits.

This means that millions of patients and practitioners in the UK may be exposed to unsafe levels of air pollution on a daily basis.

Impact of Air Pollution on Children

When inhaled, fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is small enough to pass through the lungs and enter the bloodstream, leading to a number of health problems.

Many vulnerable groups use UK health centres, and air pollution poses a great risk to everyone. However, trust managers might be particularly concerned with the effect that air pollution has on the children that visit their centres.

Air pollution can have a serious impact on a child’s development, as breathing polluted air can lead to fatigue and a lack of concentration. In the short term, air pollution can make existing conditions worse, such as asthmas and allergies. Long-term exposure can lead to much more serious conditions.

What Causes Air Pollution?

Here are some of the most common sources of air pollution in public areas:

  • Traffic – Vehicle emissions can contain many potentially harmful pollutants, including particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂).
  • Cleaning – Some cleaning products contain pollutants known as non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs). Using these products in a poorly-ventilated area can lead to the creation of atmospheric formaldehyde. As well as causing irritation in the eyes and upper airways, formaldehyde is a carcinogen.
  • Mould – Mould can be an issue in any building of any age. If you don’t address a mould problem, it will spread, which can lead to mould spores in the atmosphere. Inhaling these spores can lead to a number of health problems.
  • Weather – Strong winds can carry pollutants over long distances. As well as the pollutants from traffic, winds can also bring pollutants from other sources, including farms and factories. On top of this, air pollution levels are generally higher on still or warmer days.

You can read our full guide to the numerous causes of air pollution.

How to Test Air Quality

The Department for Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) routinely publishes air pollution alerts and forecasts. You can use this service to assess the air quality in your area on any given day.

Though this service is useful, it poses certain limitations. DEFRA’s reports will give you an idea of the pollution levels across wide areas of the country. They don’t account for local air quality concerns, so you cannot rely on them for a reliable picture of the exposure risks in your area.

Our indoor air quality monitoring service can give you a much more accurate overview of the air pollution risks in your internal environment. In addition, ongoing exposure monitoring can help you determine just how at-risk individuals in your building might be. These specialist processes will give you a detailed report highlighting any problem areas, with advice on steps you can take to improve the situation.

Find out more about our air quality monitoring services for hospitals and healthcare settings and how we can help you.

We also offer a range of Blueair air purifiers. The HealthProtect range is suitable for hospital, GP and dental surgery waiting rooms, treatment rooms and other areas where pollution ingress and the transfer of bacteria and viruses is a concern.

 

Air Purifier Guide: What You Need to Know

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If you’ve never used an air purifier before, you might be wondering – do they work? And are they right for you?

So we put together this short air purifier guide, to answer some of the most common questions you might ask when choosing your first air purifier.

What Do Air Purifiers Do?

Air purifiers cycle the air in a room, removing any potentially harmful particles as they do so. They use a series of filters to capture airborne particles as small as 0.1 micron. Good air purifiers use high-efficiency particulate air filters (HEPA filters) to trap around 99.97% of all airborne particles in a room.

Good air purifiers work quickly and efficiently. For example, the Blueair air purifier has a Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) that will completely filter the air in a room 4.8 times an hour. And on its lowest setting, it uses less energy than a small lightbulb.

The Benefits of Air Purifiers

Air purifiers can help to relieve the symptoms of hay fever and other allergies, as well as removing hazardous and toxic air pollutants. They can also trap and kill viruses and bacteria carried through the air.

HEPA filters can catch many potentially harmful particles in the room, including:

  • Dust
  • Pollen
  • Mould
  • Pet dander
  • Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

So if you suffer from asthma, hayfever, or any kind of pet allergies, air purifiers can help you manage your symptoms. You can breathe easier and sleep better.

Air purifiers can also capture certain hazardous and toxic air pollutants, including particulate matter from car exhausts. So if you live or work nearby a busy main road, air purifiers can help lessen the impact of air pollution.

Finally, air purifiers can trap viruses and bacteria. And when bacteria and viruses are trapped in a HEPA filter, they can no longer reproduce. This means that air purifiers don’t just trap viruses and bacteria – they also kill them.

It’s for this reason that air purifiers play a huge role in infection control in hospitals and healthcare settings.

Air Purifier Maintenance

Air purifiers require regular maintenance to keep them working at their best. Over time, the HEPA filter will get clogged, making it less effective at cycling air and trapping particles.

You should change the HEPA filter in domestic air purifiers at least once every two years. But in a commercial or healthcare setting, you need to change the HEPA filter a lot more frequently – every six months or so.

It all depends on the size of your air purifier and how often you run it. And in a commercial or healthcare setting, there may be certain air quality regulations you need to meet that’ll specify how often you should maintain your air purifiers.

You can read our complete guide to air purifier maintenance here.

Which Air Purifier is Right For You?

If you’re looking for an air purifier for a commercial setting, we’re here to help. We specialise in industrial air purification for healthcare. But we can also advise you on air purification solutions for schools, universities, offices, and other workplaces.

Get in touch to talk to our friendly team of expert air purification consultants and we’ll help you find a solution that works for you.

Health & Safety in Operating Theatres – Hazards & Precautions

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Just like any other working environment, working in an operating theatre comes with numerous occupational hazards. However, in an operating theatre, these hazards can mean life or death. Even the smallest accident could seriously jeopardise the patient’s safety.

The question of health & safety in operating theatres is a deep one. Organisations such as the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) regularly produce extensive documents advising on theatre safety on both an operational and a managerial level.

So in this post, we’ll provide an essential overview of the sort of hazards theatre staff may face, and the sort of precautions that could help them manage risk. Please note that in this post we’ll focus on staff safety rather than patient safety.

Also be sure to check out our introduction to improving quality and efficiency in operating theatres.

Common Hazards in Operating Theatres

Speaking as broadly as possible, we might categorise the common hazards staff face in operating theatres as follows:

  • Accidents, including slips, trips, and falls.
  • Exposure to hazardous substances.
  • Contamination and infection.

Let’s look at each of these hazards in turn, along with some of the precautions that could help prevent accidents.

Accidents in Operating Theatres – Slips, Trips and Falls

Just like in any other workplace, operating theatre staff can slip on spilled fluids, or trip and fall on a loose wire or a misplaced bit of equipment.

One of the many recommendations made in the NHS Productive Operating Theatre strategy concerns the layout of operating theatres. They advise removing any non-essential items from the area, and assigning each object a set place in the room.

These recommendations are primarily in place to ensure operational efficiency. If everyone knows where everything is, then operations can proceed with fewer interruptions.

But a well-ordered operating theatre is also a much safer operating theatre. If there are no non-essential items in the area, and if everything is in its right place, then in theory there’ll be no obstacles for theatre staff to trip over as they carry out their work.

The Importance of Good Theatre Hygiene

The guidelines also recommend regularly cleaning and maintaining the operating theatre environment. This is mainly for patient safety, to reduce the risks of infection. But it can also contribute to staff safety. Promptly cleaning any fluids spilled on the floor makes it less likely that anyone will slip and fall.

The right equipment can make a huge difference here. For example, non-drip absorbent operating theatre floor mats can soak up any spilled fluids before they become a health and safety hazard. Then, after the operation, they can simply be picked up, discarded and replaced. This will reduce the turnaround time between operations while also removing the need to mop, so staff won’t have to worry about wet and slippery surfaces.

Exposure to Hazardous Substances

Operating theatre procedures make use of a number of substances which can pose a health hazard  if staff are exposed to them for long periods.

A key culprit in the operating theatre is Isoflurane, which anaesthetists use to maintain a state of general anaesthesia. If inhaled in its vapor form, Isoflurane can cause headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. But long-term exposure can lead to chronic health conditions, including renal, hepatic, and reproductive disorders.

Like all potentially hazardous substances, so long as it’s properly stored, and so long as your equipment is properly maintained, then Isoflurane should pose no problems. But as the substance is so volatile, even the smallest spillage or leak poses a health hazard.

Prevention, and the Cure

Another key recommendation in the NHS Productive Operating Theatre strategy is to stay on top of your equipment maintenance. Again, this is primarily to ensure patient safety, as you cannot depend on faulty equipment to do the job you need it to do. But it’s also to ensure staff safety, to ensure that, for example, any leaks are fixed before they pose a problem.

Wearing adequate PPE when handling or cleaning substances will also help you manage this hazard. But for total peace of mind, get a workplace exposure monitoring report for any area of your hospital where staff are exposed to hazardous substances.

A comprehensive report will include clear and actionable recommendations, so you’ll know exactly where the risks lie and exactly what to do to protect your staff.

Contamination and Infection in Operating Theatres

Infection control measures in operating theatres put the patient’s needs first, as surgical site infections (SSIs) account for around 20% of all hospital-acquired infections.

But of course, any measure that protects patients from infection will also protect staff from infection.

Operating theatres must be aseptic, highly-sterile, and restricted environments. Achieving this requires good air ventilation, strategic zoning, and numerous infection control precautions.

You can read our full guide to cleaning for infection prevention and control in operating theatres here.

PPE also plays a huge part in protecting both staff and patient from infection. It’s not just a question of selecting the right PPE for the task at hand. Just as important is applying and removing the PPE in the correct order.

Health and Safety in Operating Theatres – Essential Support, Solutions, and Guidance

We offer many services and solutions that can help you stay on top of health and safety in the operating theatre.

Our services include:

  • Air purification
  • Face-fit testing for PPE effectiveness
  • Workplace exposure monitoring services
  • Washroom hygiene solutions
  • Fluid management solutions, including absorbent floor mats
  • Cleaning equipment, disposal containers, and sanitising chemicals

Our experts are always on-hand to discuss your needs. So if you’d like some guidance health and safety in operating theatres, get in touch to talk to an expert today.