How to Measure Air Quality

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When we talk about air quality, we’re talking about how clean or polluted the air we breathe is at any given moment.

When we say the air quality is poor, it means there are pollutants in the air. These can be hazardous to breathe, especially if you have a heart or a lung condition.

The UK government determines its Daily Air Quality Index through measuring the concentration of five pollutants in a site or region:

  • Nitrogen Dioxide
  • Sulphur Dioxide
  • Ozone
  • Particulate matter – they search for two different particle sizes at once. This can include natural particles such as pollen, sea spray and desert dust, as well as human-made particles, such as vehicle emissions.

How is Air Quality Measured?

We measure air quality by measuring the relative levels of these pollutants in the air. There are two main ways to do this. One through continuous monitoring and one through monitoring periodically for days at a time.

Continuous real-time air quality monitoring: Monitoring stations can provide up-to-date data on an hourly basis, which makes it possible to determine the air quality in any given area at any given time.

Periodical air monitoring: Another way to measure air quality is to place a filter or canister in an area for a given period – such as a day, three days, or a week. At the end of this period you remove the canister and analyse the build-up of contaminants on the filter.

What Affects Air Quality?

Some sources of air pollution are natural. For example, the pollen count affects air quality, and this largely depends on the time of the year, and the weather. But it’s mainly human activity that affects air quality. And these are the activities that can have the greatest impact:

  • Burning fuel – From burning wood in domestic fireplaces, to burning fuels on an industrial level for energy generation. These practices produce small particulates as well as sulphur dioxide.
  • Road transport – Vehicle emissions contain harmful particulates, as well as other pollutants including nitrogen oxide.
  • Farming – Practices such as spreading manures, slurries, and inorganic fertilisers can create pollutants such as ammonia and non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCS).

On the other hand, these are the factors that can improve air quality:

  • The weather – Air quality is generally lower on hot and still days, and higher on cool and breezy days.
  • Your location – Air quality will be considerably lower next to busy roads and junctions, and the air quality in a rural area will depend on the levels of industrial or agricultural activity in an area.
  • Ventilation – You can filter the air in a building to remove any harmful particles, and keep an area ventilated to ensure that no pollutants can build up in a closed area.

How to Improve Air Quality in Hospitals, Schools and Workplaces

Many workplaces are located in built-up areas, often close to major roads. So maintaining healthy air quality can be a constant battle. Air purifiers can filter many harmful particles, and they can even trap and remove certain airborne diseases and viruses. You can get small standalone purifiers for single rooms, as well as larger systems for larger rooms, some capable of achieving five air changes per hour. Browse our range of air purifiers for hospitals, schools and workplaces.

We also offer a workplace monitoring service. We can monitor your staff’s exposure levels to any potentially harmful substances in your workplace, helping you to understand your risk levels so you can devise an air quality solution that works for you. Head here to learn more about our bespoke air quality monitoring services.

Infection Prevention and Control Conference 2022: Cairn offers hospitals breath of fresh air

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State-of-the-art air purification technology will be taking centre stage on the Cairn Technology stand at the Infection, Prevention and Control Conference 2022.

Blueair HealthProtect™ 7740i Air Purifier

Using patent-pending filtration technology, the Blueair HealthProtect™ 7740i Air Purifier provides complete filtration of hospital rooms of up to 62 m² at the industry recommended rate of 4.8x an hour.

The purifier combines electrostatic and mechanical filtration to catch 99.97% of particles down to 0.1 microns, including viruses and bacteria. What’s more, its HEPASilent Ultra™ filtration technology delivers 50% more clean air (1), uses 55% less energy and has a 10% lower noise than traditional true HEPA filtration (2).

Even while left on standby, the 7740i proactively monitors your room and kills (3) viruses and bacteria, whilst the system’s omni-directional airflow circulates clean air to every corner of the room.

The purifier’s SmartFilter consists of one particle filter layer and one active carbon filter layer, which combine to remove gas, odours, smoke, VOCs, exhaust, smog, and chemicals from the air.

The SmartFilter’s performance is tracked through the Blueair App, which notifies staff when it is time to replace it. The app also allows staff to set speed control options, enable Auto and Night modes and change the On/Off timer.

An intuitive 5-colour indicator bar on 7740i purifier also gives quick updates on particle and gas levels, and a numerical display quantifies the levels for PM1, PM2.5 and PM10 particles.

Absorbent floor mats for operating theatres and scrub rooms

In addition to the HealthProtect™ 7740i Air Purifier, Cairn Technology will be exhibiting its absorbent floor mats for operating theatres and scrub rooms. These include the innovative T-Mat which is the most absorbent floor mat on the market. Turning up to 8.5litres of fluid to gel within seconds, these non-drip mats avoid cross-infection, allowing for safe and easy disposal in clinical waste.

Also helping to control infection, Cairn Technology’s DryMax Sterile mats are useful for burns, endoscopy and arthroscopy departments that are looking for a mat that can safely be used next to the patient’s body.

In addition, information will be available on Cairn Technology’s Biohazard Spill Kits, Body Fluid Spill Kits and Sterile Services Cleanroom Testing.

Come see us at the Infection Prevention and Control Conference 2022

If you are visiting IPC 22, which takes place at the National Conference Centre, Birmingham, then please come and see us on our stand, no. 16. You can also arrange an appointment if you want to meet up with us at a specific time. Just call us on 0333 015 4345.

References:

  1. Based on testing of particle Clean Air Delivery Rate (pCADR according to GB/T18801-2015) in HealthProtect™ 7700 model at the same fan speed, compared to using H13 true HEPA filtration in the same unit.
  2. Based on testing of energy consumption (W) and noise levels (dB, according to ISO 3743) in HealthProtect™ 7700 model with the same particle Clean Air Delivery Rate (pCADR according to GB/T18801-2015), compared to using H13 true HEPA filter in the same unit.
  3. Deactivation of bacteria (Staphylococcus albus) and virus (MS2 bacteriophage).

 

Rising concerns over air pollution in city hospitals

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If you are concerned about unsafe pollutions levels in your hospital then you are not alone. A recent study by Kings College London and the UK Health Alliance on climate change found that 60% of hospitals and NHS facilities in inner London are in areas that exceed air pollution limits.

What’s more, the environmental campaigning network UK100 has found that more that 17% of hospitals across the UK have unsafe levels of toxic particles in the air.(1)

The issue has become so serious that the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, is working with ten hospitals in the most polluted areas of London to install air quality monitors that will measure levels of toxic air to help protect patients and staff.(2)

Whilst this initiative forms part of Sadiq Khan’s Breathe London project to help improve air quality in the capital, it is clear that hospitals in toxic hotspots across the UK also need to take action.

How we can help you

 

If you are looking for a way to remove pollutants trapped inside your hospital, we offer a range of Blueair air purification systems to filter the air in a variety of room sizes, from offices to waiting rooms and wards.

The range includes purifiers that can deliver 99.97% filtration efficiency, all the way down to particulate of .01 micron, not only capturing hazardous smaller particles like viruses and bacteria but also pollutants from car fumes and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).

To see our range of air purifiers for hospitals click here.

Helping you to create a Clean Air Hospital

With low noise, low energy consumption and high filtration efficiency, Blueair’s air purifiers can play an important part in the creation of your clean air hospital, as laid out in the Clean Air Hospital Framework.(4)

Developed in partnership by Global Action Plan and Great Ormond Street Hospital, this framework defines a ‘Clean Air Hospital’ as one that: “Improves air quality outside and inside the hospital by minimising sources of air pollution under its control” and that develops “a clean air action plan to improve air quality.”

If you are interested in discussing how Blueair air purifiers can improve air quality in your hospital, please contact our Air Purification Team on 0845 226 0185.

Why choose Cairn Technology?

Cairn Technology Ltd has spent two decades helping hospitals across the UK to monitor and improve indoor air quality in operating theatres, anaesthetic rooms and other areas.

Until recently the majority of this work has focused on workplace monitoring of hazardous substances to ensure that they do not exceed COSHH workplace exposure limits and help hospitals take effective action where they do.

In addition, we carry out sterile services cleanroom testing, bioburden testing, and the commissioning of hospital ventilation systems.

With growing concern over the impact of air pollution in hospitals, particularly in high traffic areas, it has become a natural progression for us to also start to help hospitals to tackle this problem and create a healthier environment for patients as well as staff.

References:

(1) https://www.uk100.org/10-5-million-hospital-patients-at-risk-from-toxic-fumes/

(2) https://www.london.gov.uk/press-releases/mayoral/mayor-installs-air-quality-monitors-at-hospitals

(3) https://breathequality.com/blueair-classic-605-review/

(4) https://www.globalactionplan.org.uk/clean-air/clean-air-hospital-framework

Poor Air Quality in the Workplace: Is it Safe?

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This week, Transport for London announced that it will be introducing air filters on 100 London buses to help stop the spread of COVID-19 after 26 London transport workers have died from the disease.

The filters were originally designed to tackle air pollution but have been repurposed to remove 95% of airborne particles, including those carrying the virus.

Improving Air Quality with Air Purifiers in the Workplace

It seems that the organisation is one of the first to use this technology to safeguard its workforce and customers, however it is anticipated that thousands of businesses will follow suit, investing in air purifiers to prevent the spread of viruses and bacteria amongst staff.

More often than not, humans are the main source of airborne diseases in the workplace. When someone sneezes or coughs, tiny water or mucous droplets filled with viruses or bacteria scatter, easily entering the air, and then entering your lungs, making you ill. Even without a cough or sneeze, germs can travel up to six feet away. Some viruses stay suspended in the air for hours.

Reducing Staff Sickness Through Air Quality and Ventilation

In the months and years to come, in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, businesses are likely to take the health and wellbeing of employees more seriously and implement additional measures to safeguard their workforce. Crowded conditions with poor air circulation, like public transport and office environments, make it easy for viruses like colds and flu to spread.

Research shows that airflow and ventilation can dramatically impact how diseases spread indoors. The more stagnant the air in your workplace is, the more likely diseases are to spread.

How to Introduce Air Purifiers to the Workplace

Blueair air purifiers have been advocated for use in the workplace for a number of years.  Testing by the accredited CAS Test Technical Services measured a 99.99% removal rate of the 12 most common viruses and bacteria by the Classic 280i, Classic 480i and Classic 680i, including swine flu (H1N1), E. coli, and Enterovirus (EV71).*

Not only do Blueair purifiers capture harmful airborne viruses and bacteria, but the proprietary HEPASilent™ technology actually kills germs. Internal tests measured 99% of germs were killed by the Blueair Classic family – leaving the bacteria and viruses unviable and unable to reproduce.

It is a relatively simple step – simply plug it in and let it do its thing, but it could make a huge difference to businesses and we anticipate a huge increase in demand over the coming months.

Find out more about our Blueair air purifer range or get in touch to discuss your requirements.

Clean Air: The Smartest Addition To Your Business

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Air pollution isn’t new, it’s something that most people are aware of and in bustling congested cities it has become a major health concern. Pollutants such as construction dust, and diesel particulate are trapped in the atmosphere along with smoke, pollen and manufacturing emissions can react with sunlight and create photochemical smog and ground level ozone.

This low down ozone can cause lung damage. It is especially unhealthy for children, whose lungs are developing, and for people with respiratory illnesses like asthma. Ozone can also cause itchy, burning eyes. What people don’t often realise is this pollution can become trapped indoors.

Add this to everyday indoor pollutants and allergens, such as dust, pet dander and bacteria, and the air in your workplace may be up to 5 times more polluted than the air you breathe out and about in the city.

Exposure to indoor air pollution has been linked to the development of everything from infections to asthma to lung cancer. It can also cause less serious side effects such as headaches, nasal congestion, nausea, fatigue and dry eyes. If you suffer from an existing lung condition you will be at a greater risk of experiencing symptoms.

Blue Air is leading the way in air purification and is an ideal addition to public areas such as waiting rooms, communal kitchens or meeting rooms; high traffic areas which have the potential to trap air pollution and hold it indoors. The purifiers catch airborne contaminants down to the size of viruses, plus pollen, dust, pet dander, mould spores, smoke, allergens and bacteria. The combination filter with active carbon even removes odours, gases and the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which cause that ground level ozone.

This means that they are not only ideal for protection against the every day pollution which is part of modern life, but also help with conditions such as asthma, allergies, for example hayfever, they remove tobacco smoke and unwanted odours from the air.

Not only do Blue Air purifiers capture harmful airborne viruses and bacteria, but our proprietary HEPASilent™ technology actually kills germs. Internal tests measured 99% of germs were killed by Blueair HealthProtect – leaving the bacteria and viruses unviable and unable to reproduce.

The Blue Air HealthProtect range is suitable for spaces from 38m² to 62m² and will purify the air in your room up to five times per hour. Built in WiFi which enables performance monitoring via the Blueair Friend app through smartphone or tablet, plus voice control convenience via Alexa.

Unique HEPASilent™ technology combines two air purification technologies – electrostatic and mechanical filtration – to bring you the best of both worlds. The HealthProtect air purifiers combine the highest clean air delivery rate (CADR) with whisper-silent operation. In fact, HealthProtect works so quietly that you might have to check to make sure it’s switched on. And it uses less electricity than a light bulb.

As public health has never been more in focus, an investment in clean air will protect your team and visitors from all those pollutants that we associate with outdoors that we are unknowingly breathing indoors.

Air purifiers and Coronavirus (Covid-19)

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High quality air purifiers can trap and remove a variety of airborne disease and viruses. In fact, the Blueair air purifiers we have in stock have been third-party tested and proven to have a clearance rate of 99.99% of the most common viruses and bacteria, including H1N1 influenza, Staphylococcus aureus, E-coli and Aspergillus.

Not only do these air purifiers trap harmful airborne viruses and bacteria, but their proprietary HEPASilent™ technology actually kills the germs. Carrying out internal tests of the Blueair Classic 200 Series on maximum fan speed under normal temperature and humidity conditions, Blueair found that 99% of germs were killed, leaving the bacteria and viruses unviable and unable to reproduce.

Can air purifiers filter out Covid particles?

As the new Coronavirus (Covid-19) was not discovered until 2019, Blueair air purifiers have yet to be tested to see how effective they are at capturing and removing this virus. What we can say is that Blueair’s HEPASilent™ filtration technology captures at least 99.97% of airborne particles down to 0.1 microns in size. This includes any viruses with a particle size of at least 0.1 micron. Corona viruses measure about 0.12 micron.

How do air purifiers work?

After the ultra-quiet fan draws air from the room into the air purifier, airborne particles receive an electrical charge that causes them to stick more quickly and easily to the polypropylene filters. The combination of electrical charging and high air draft inactivates viruses and bacteria.

What’s more, because the charged particles adhere to the fibres in the filter more easily, the filter can be less dense, meaning the fan pushes through more air with less pressure, noise and energy consumption. This lower density also reduces clogging, optimising the purifier’s ongoing effectiveness.

Air purifiers for hospitals, clinics and laboratories

If you are considering using air purifiers in specific rooms in your hospital, clinic or laboratory to remove a range of airborne diseases, please take a look at our Blueair range.

If you have any questions, please send us a message or call us on 0845 226 0185.