Filtering the Critical “Small Stuff”
Protecting workers and other occupants from health risks from harmful airborne particles is part of a facility manager’s job. It’s important to be aware of what size particles can be harmful if inhaled, what these are, and what precautions can be taken to “engineer out” any health risks. Legend Brands covers key considerations for air filtration in occupied spaces.
FILTERING THE CRITICAL “SMALL STUFF”
When you’re a facilities manager, you’re responsible for protecting your workers and other occupants from breathing potentially harmful particulates.
You may not be able to see the smallest airborne particles, but they are indeed the most dangerous for humans to breathe. Without a HEPA respirator, here’s the percent of smaller particles that can be drawn into a person’s lungs:
- .1 micron particles – 100%
- .5 micron particles – 98%
- 1 micron particles – 97%
If you’re having trouble picturing the size of these particles, a human hair measures 1,230 microns and one inch equals 25,400 microns!
Our normal human respiratory system will NOT protect us against very small particulate matter. Here are some of the smallest respirable particles:
- Mold spores – 2 – 20 microns
- Bacteria - .3 – 60 microns
- Smoke - .01 – 4 microns
- Viruses - .005 – .3 microns
Particles smaller than 5 microns, such as mold spores, are especially hazardous, because they can be inhaled deeply into the lungs in large quantities and cause serious chronic health problems. For example, mold exposure can cause asthma and other respiratory and pulmonary issues.
Wildfire smoke is increasingly becoming an issue. While breathing outside air in smoke-affected areas is the most dangerous, some smoke particulate matter (PM) migrates inside. Scientific research has found a clear association between breathing PM2.5 smoke particles and heart and lung health effects.
In addition, new scientific research shows that wildfire smoke increases dementia risk by 23%, so facility managers must be ready to help protect building occupants and workers.
That’s why negative pressure air containments should only be created using an air scrubber like the Dri-Eaz HEPA 700 or Mediclean AP 700. Independent testing shows that their primary filter removes 99.99% of .1-.5 micron particles. Variable speed is also critical to maintain the correct level of negative air pressure and for the integrity of any containment.
Being aware of how particle size can affect people and knowing what precautions to take can help you safeguard your workers’ and occupants’ health. The next step is to know your state and local regulations and hire certified professionals when required.
15180 JOSH WILSON ROAD | BURLINGTON, WA 98233 | 888-208-5401 | R2RPROGRAM.COM
