Breathe a Little Easier With a Quality Air Filtration System

It is no secret that fresh, clean air is important to health, but only in recent years have we come to understand that indoor air quality is as important as the air that we breathe outside. Independent studies have shown that “sick building syndrome” was directly responsible for work related illness and was one of the leading causes of people missing time from work. It soon became clear that an effective method of improving the inside air that we all breathe was becoming a necessity and the search for an affordable and effective air filtration system had begun.

The heart of any air filtration system is the filter. Filters are rated based on their ability to stop contaminants from reentering the air once the air has been circulated through the filtration system. Filters are rated in MERVs or Minimum Efficiency Rating Value.; the higher the number the better the filtration system is performing. MERV 8 is considered low efficiency while MERV 15 is the most effective.

The Best Available

High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) and Ultra Low Penetration Air (ULPA) filters are best suited for removing specific allergens and microbes from the air and are used in laboratories, hospitals and to protect from possible bioterrorist agents. ULPA filters are most effective for filtering the air of manufacturers of microelectronics. Electrostatic filters are very effective for eliminating allergens and cigarette smoke and are often found in places such as large airports.

Today’s Standards

Today the modern office buildings have a MERV rating of 13 or higher providing a good air quality for the occupants but oddly enough, other important places such as schools cannot make the same claim. It is felt that more schools should take measures to improve their filtration systems due to the increased risk of respiratory ailments in children as compared to adults. Retailers also tend to use low efficiency air filtration units unless it is specifically required to protect their inventory. Hospitals provide very high quality air for obvious reasons and their filtration units are usually quite large and expensive but the need for healthy air in these locations clearly outweighs the cost. Regardless of your location it is important to recognize the importance of indoor air quality and the tremendous benefits that a good air filtration system can provide.