There has been an increase in respiratory diseases due to poor indoor air quality. This problem is worse in family members with allergies and respiratory diseases, including asthma. Regardless of how clean your house is, airborne contaminants may pass through HVAC filters. Regular air purification is necessary to eliminate VOCs, pathogens, odors and other larger particles. This can be achieved by using an air scrubber.
Understanding How Air Scrubbers Work
Indoor air quality issues can be a major concern in Bountiful, UT, households where family members suffer from allergies and respiratory diseases, including asthma. Regardless of how clean your house is, airborne contaminants may pass through HVAC filters. Regular air purification is beneficial to eliminate the VOCs, pathogens, odors and other larger particles that may be circulating throughout your home. Cleaner indoor air can be achieved by using an air scrubber.
Understanding How Air Scrubbers Work
Initially, air scrubbers were used by large companies to reduce toxic fumes, chemicals and air pollutants. However, their use has been embraced in modern times, especially in residential properties. This is a step up from your traditional air purifier. Air scrubbers can either be wet or dry, and depending on the type, they remove airborne particles by using moisture or cooling and filtering the air flowing into the system. This leaves the air clean, odor-free and safer to breathe.
A dry air scrubber sprays a dry reagent at high speed on the stream of air that is moving through the system. The reagent reacts with pollutants. A spray scrubber uses nozzles to spray water or a water-based solvent into the air stream in the chamber. This process forces fumes through a fluid vapor where particles of 10 µm and gases, including sulfur dioxide, ammonia, chlorides, and fluorides, are trapped. A blower or fan pulls the air stream into the air scrubber, and the air-cleaning process happens in the following stages:
1. Pre-Filtration
In any home, there are large particles with a diameter between 2.5 µm and about 100 µm. Even though you may not see these particles, you can feel their presence when they irritate your eyes and nasal passages. Air scrubbers use high-efficiency particulate air filters to remove about 99% of these particles. The main aim of this initial filtration is to protect the subsequent filters from clogging with large particles and to extend their lifespan. They also ensure there is constant airflow within the unit.
2. Primary Filtration
Particles below 1 µm can pass through the pre-filters of an air scrubber. In the second stage, air scrubbers use thicker and heavier HEPA primary filters that can remove 99.7% of particles as small as 0.3 µm.
3. Carbon Filtration
Some air scrubbers use an optional filter to remove gas and vapor molecules that contribute to indoor odors. The surface of the carbon attracts the molecules in a process called adsorption. These filters are used in conditions where odors are a problem.
4. Carbon Bed Filtration
There may be organic materials in inorganic fluid streams. The carbon bed has granular activated carbon made from coal and passed through high temperatures for activation. When the carbon is activated and placed in a filtering frame, it absorbs the organic materials as the fluid passes through it and out via the outlet nozzle. These can absorb impurities of about 20% of their weight and are often used in conditions where oil or thick materials may be released into the air.
5. Ultraviolet Light
Apart from the carbon filter, you can add other parts to the air scrubber, including ultraviolet light, to increase the system’s efficiency. Family members with airborne communicable diseases can pass on the illness to other family members. When they talk, sneeze, cough and breathe, they release droplets that contain the disease-carrying pathogens. These will move through the air, and when another member breathes them in, they can become sick as well. Ultraviolet light inactivates pathogens and microorganisms, including fungi, bacteria and viruses. The light disrupts their DNA sequencing, rendering them inactive.
Why You Should Use an Air Scrubber
Air scrubbers can be used in homes, commercial buildings and factories where air pollution can lead to health issues, discomfort and poor productivity. Here are five benefits of using air scrubbers to improve air quality:
1. Remove Airborne Allergens
Indoor spaces where air cleaners and purifiers are not used are two to five times more polluted than outdoor air. About 800 million people in the world suffer from allergic rhinitis to some degree. Indoor pollutants can make it hard for people with asthma to breathe. It is hard to remove these particles even with HVAC filters, since some are very small. For instance, pollen is an extremely fine powder released by flowers and easily passes through traditional HVAC filters. However, air scrubbers catch and remove them using a deionization process and pass the air stream through a series of additional filters.
A person can develop lung disease even if they are not an active smoker because of secondhand smoke inhalation. Children are especially vulnerable to complications because they have higher respiratory rates, and their lungs are not yet fully developed. They, along with older people, have weaker immune systems. It is crucial to use an air scrubber to remove the smoke particles released during active smoking and in the kitchen. This helps keep your family healthy.
2. Remove Fumes and Pollutants From Outside Air
Individuals in urban areas can have higher rates of allergic reactions than those in rural areas. This is because they are more exposed to the fumes released by vehicles and factories, including sulfur and nitrogen dioxide. These gases can leak inside the house when you open doors and windows or through gaps and cracks. An air scrubber can eliminate these gases and prevent the health problems they can cause.
4. Reduce Carbon Dioxide Levels
In poorly ventilated homes, carbon dioxide levels can increase and lead to shortness of breath, nausea, dizziness and increased blood pressure. An air scrubber will remove this gas and ensure there is fresh air inside your home.
5. Eliminate Volatile Organic Compounds
Most homes use cleaning and disinfecting products, air fresheners and aerosol sprays to keep the environment clean and fresh smelling. Unfortunately, these products are very dangerous and can release volatile organic compounds. These VOCs can lead to health issues after a person has been exposed to them for extended periods of time. Even though they smell good, they can have detrimental effects on one’s health, including an increased risk of cancer. You can eliminate dangerous VOCs from your home by using natural air fragrances, including essential oils. Activated charcoal is a very safe method of reducing odors without introducing any kind of chemicals into your indoor air. Also, using an air scrubber is an eco-friendly method that safely traps any smells and toxins that come from cooking, cleaning, installing new building materials and purchasing new furniture.
If you are looking to improve your indoor air quality by promoting clean and healthy air, contact the professionals at Blue Best Plumbing, Heating, Air, Generators. We would be happy to provide you with guidance on the right indoor air quality solution for your home. We also have qualified plumbers and technicians dedicated to providing plumbing, heating and air conditioning services throughout Bountiful and the Salt Lake City Metro area. Contact us today at Blue Best Plumbing, Heating, Air, Generators to schedule an appointment for your plumbing and HVAC needs.
Air scrubbers can either be wet or dry and depending on the type, they remove airborne particles by using moisture or cooling and filtering the air flowing into the system. This leaves the air clean, odor-free and safer to breathe.
A dry air scrubber sprays a reagent at a high speed on the air stream. The reagent reacts with the pollutants and is burned due to the heat of the stream or filtered by the filters. A spray tower scrubber uses nozzles to spray a chemical into the air stream in the chamber. These forces fume through a fluid vapor where particles of 10 µm and gases, including Sulphur dioxide, ammonia, chlorides, and fluorides, are trapped. A blower or fan pulls the air stream into the air scrubber and the air-cleaning process happens in the following stages.
1. Pre-Filtration
In any home, there are large particles with a diameter between 2.5 µm and about 100 µm. Even though you may not see these particles, you can feel their presence when they irritate your eyes. Air scrubbers use high-efficiency particulate air filters to remove about 99% of these particles. The main aim of this initial filtration is to protect the subsequent filters from clogging with large particles and to extend their lifespan. They also ensure there is constant airflow within the unit.
2. Primary Filtration
Particles below 1 µm can pass through the pre-filters. In the second stage, air scrubbers use thicker and heavier HEPA primary filters that can remove 99.7% of particles as small as 0.3 µm.
3. Carbon Filtration
Some air scrubbers use an optional filter to remove gas and vapor molecules that make a place smelly. The surface of the carbon attracts the molecules in a process called adsorption. These filters are used in conditions where odors are released. This includes companies dealing with portable toilets, juice and food production factories and solid waste disposal.
4. Carbon Bed Filtration
There may be organic materials in inorganic fluid streams. The carbon bed has granular activated carbon made from coal and passed through high temperatures for activation. When the carbon is activated and placed in a filtering frame, it absorbs the organic materials as the fluid passes through it and out via the outlet nozzle. These can absorb impurities of about 20% of their weight and are often used in conditions where oil may be released into the air. This includes pharmaceuticals, food processing and military settings.
5. Ultraviolet Light
Apart from the carbon filter, you can add special parts to the air scrubber, including using ultraviolet light to increase the system’s efficiency. Family members with airborne communicable diseases can pass the illness to other family members. When they talk, sneeze, cough and breathe, they release droplets that contain the disease-carrying pathogens. These will move through the air and when another member breathes it in, they get the disease. Ultraviolet light inactivates pathogens and microorganisms, including fungi, bacteria and viruses, as the air stream flows through the system. The light disrupts their DNA sequencing, killing them.
Why You Should Use an Air Scrubber
Air scrubbers can be used in homes, commercial buildings and factories where air pollution can lead to health issues, discomfort and poor productivity. Here are five benefits of using air scrubbers to improve air quality.
1. Remove Airborne Allergens
Indoor spaces where air cleaners and purifiers are not used are two to five times more polluted than outdoor air. About 36 million people in the world are allergic to some airborne particles, including pollen, pet dander, mold, smoke, dust and fragrances. These pollutants can make it hard for people with asthma to breathe. It is hard to remove these particles even with HVAC filters, especially since some are very small. For instance, pollen is an extremely fine powder released by flowers and easily passes the HVAC filters. However, air scrubbers catch and remove them through the use of a deionization process and passing the air stream through a series of filters.
A person can develop lung diseases even when not an active smoker because of inhaling secondhand smoke. Children are especially vulnerable to complications because they have higher respiratory rates, and their body organs are not yet fully developed. They, alongside older people, have weaker immune systems and can have heart diseases, pneumonia, asthma and bronchitis. It is crucial to use an air scrubber to remove the smoke particles released during active smoking and in the kitchen. This helps keep your family healthy.
2. Remove Fumes and Pollutants From Outside Air
Individuals in urban areas can have higher rates of allergic reactions than those in rural areas. This is because they are more exposed to the fumes released by vehicles and factories, including sulfur and nitrogen dioxide. These gases can leak inside the house when you open the doors and windows or through gaps and cracks. An air scrubber can eliminate these gases and prevent the health problems they can cause.
4. Reduce Carbon Dioxide Levels
There are homes with indoor plants for aesthetic purposes or to clean the air. The plants use carbon dioxide and release oxygen in a process that requires sunlight. At night, the plants use oxygen and release carbon dioxide. In poorly ventilated homes, the carbon dioxide can increase and lead to shortness of breath, nausea, dizziness and increased blood pressure. An air scrubber will remove this gas and ensure there is fresh air inside your home. Inhaling fresh air can reduce stress because of the reduced cortisol levels.
5. Eliminate Volatile Organic Compounds
Most homes use cleaning and disinfecting products, air fresheners and aerosol sprays. These can release volatile organic compounds that can lead to health issues after a person has been exposed to them for extended periods. Even though they smell good, they can cause some types of cancer because they are petroleum-based products. You can eliminate them from your home by using natural air fragrances, including essential oils and activated charcoal. Alternatively, use an air scrubber as it is an eco-friendly method that safely traps the smells and removes toxins.
If you need clean and healthy air in your indoor space, contact our professionals at Blue Best Plumbing, Heating, Air, Generators for guidance on the right solution for your home. We also have qualified plumbers and technicians dedicated to providing plumbing, heating and air conditioning services throughout Bountiful, UT and the Salt Lake City Metro area. Contact us today at Blue Best Plumbing, Heating, Air, Generators for plumbing and HVAC needs in your commercial or residential property.
