$400 Billion Holistic Clean Air Market

Major Changes in the Mask Market

Room Air Purifiers Not Open Windows as Philadelphia Schools Reopen

Hotels Need to Consider Room Air Purifiers and Improved HVAC

Readers Digest Analyzes Room Air Purifiers

School Buses Need to Upgrade to MERV 13 Filters

Ohio Opens Indoor Venues Based on MERV 13 Filters

Rochester NY Opening Schools with MERV 13 Filters in Place

Texas and Mississippi Lift Mask Mandate and Allow 100 % Capacity at Facilities

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$400 Billion Holistic Clean Air Market

Companies such as Mann + Hummel, Daikin, and Mitsubishi are pursuing clean air markets on a holistic basis.

It starts with Concentrated Contaminant Capture (CCC). Companies such as Nederman have innovative mobile suction devices to capture dust and noxious gases before they can disperse.  The whole air pollution control industry is built around source capture and treatment.

The cleanroom and HVAC suppliers are focused on maintaining cleanliness within a building

 

The area cleaning concept is exemplified by filter cubes located at traffic intersections. The clean air maintenance of cities has been improved by low cost electronic monitors for specific toxic metals.

The science of regional transport of air pollutants has greatly improved over the decades. We can now trace mercury emissions from a gold mine in Brazil to deposition in the artic snow.

Over eight million people according to WHO are still dying each year due to air pollution. So, despite steady progress there is still a need to further clean the air inhaled by eight billion people.

McIlvaine provides a number of market reports in this area which are found under “markets” and then “air” at www.mcilvainecompany.com

Bob McIlvaine can answer your questions at rmcilvaine@mcilvainecompany.com 847 226 2391

 

Major Changes in the Mask Market

The new consensus that efficient masks are much more protective than the typical cloth mask will reshape the market. Standards to guide consumers will make it very difficult for thousands of suppliers of inefficient masks to generate revenues. All these suppliers offer is “Appeal” which is comfort plus attractiveness.

In the short term the big growth market will be masks designed with only protection in mind.   However, long term much of the market will be captured by suppliers of masks with both “Protection” and “Appeal” (PA).

The wealthy countries will purchase a disproportionate percentage of the PA masks.  Due to the slower rollout of vaccines, the need for protection will be extended for a number of years in the poorer countries.

A robust long term market will be driven by virus variants, pollution protection, wildfires, and courtesy protocols.

Market forecasts and strategic guidance is provided in  Mask Market Program  Click here for more information.

Bob McIlvaine can answer your questions at rmcilvaine@mcilvainecompany.com 847 226 2391.

 

Room Air Purifiers Not Open Windows as Philadelphia Schools Reopen

Philadelphia  schools will open their doors this month to students, many of whom haven’t set foot in a classroom in almost a year. According to the new deal, some teachers will begin reporting to buildings Wednesday, March 3 with students at 53 schools starting in-person classes next Monday.

This reintroduction to in-person instruction is going to happen in waves. To start, Pre-K through second-grade students are first up through March 22. By the end of this rollout, the expectation is that all grades will be eligible to go back.

The PFT’s environmental scientist says every room that will be used will be ready for in-person learning, according to the union. The school system has long been plagued by environmental issues, and the proposal to use window fans to ventilate some classrooms drew wide criticism. So, expect no window fans. Rooms without sufficient ventilation with have air purifiers.

 

 

Hotels Need to Consider Room Air Purifiers and Improved HVAC

 

While sanitizing cleaners, sprays, and wipes can help hotel management clean surfaces in their rooms, these products do little (if anything at all) when it comes to disinfecting potential airborne COVID-19 viral molecules and other pathogens. In order for hotel managers and their teams to truly ensure clean, safe, and virus-free lodging, one expert microbiologist says hotels will need to look into solutions for sanitizing HVAC systems to improve and maintain indoor air quality (IAQ) against the COVID-19 virus and other pathogens.

“Everyone focuses on the surfaces in a hotel room, but COVID-19 and other viruses are airborne,” says Dr. Rajiv Sahay, Ph.D., FIAS, CIAQP, the director of the environmental diagnostics laboratory at Pure Air Control Services in Clearwater, FL, a nationally recognized IAQ firm. “Hotel industry leaders who understand the importance of sanitizing the HVAC systems and creating Pure Air Hypoallergenic Rooms, as well as how to communicate that they did so, are going to be the winners as consumers start traveling again in greater numbers.”

In a post-COVID world, travelers and hotel customers are going to be more aware than ever before of the steps lodgers and hoteliers take to ensure their health and safety during their stay. While regular cleaning and sanitizing against COVID-19 is likely to be expected from virtually every hotelier and lodge manager, this is only part of the equation. Because many travelers will consist of customers with sensitive health conditions such as allergies, hotel managers will need to showcase each step they take to ensure their customers’ health and safety in order to bounce back more rapidly from the events and impact of last year’s pandemic.

According to Dr. Sahay, one such way to ensure this is through an IAQ certification program that hotel managers can enter. In doing so, they can follow a step-by-step process to provide customers with the essential elements of a truly sanitized and hypoallergenic room during the length of their stay. This will not only improve the guest experience but also the bottom line. An IAQ certification program such as this, Dr. Sahay says, would consist of the following six primary steps: 

1. EVALUATE INDOOR AIR QUALITY – Hotel management should conduct baseline environmental tests, including testing of their HVAC systems, to verify building safety. This could allow hotels to receive an industry-approved notice that certifies their IAQ against viruses such as COVID-19, allergies, and other irritants to ease concerns from traveling customers.

2. NEUTRALIZE PATHOGENS – Cleaning and air filtration processes should include building-wide disinfection. This can be conducted using EPA-registered disinfectants to neutralize all bacteria, mold, and viruses (including COVID) prior to the facilities being certified as fully sanitized and hypoallergenic. 

3. CLEAN AND RESTORE HVAC UNITS – Every hotel should make sure that all of their HVAC units are hygienically cleaned with steam at a temperature no lower than 350° F. Once cleaned, those same HVAC systems should then be restored with anti-microbial paint to prevent the future growth and spread of microbes, allergens, and other harmful airborne particles.

4. REDUCE IN-ROOM PARTICLES – Each management team should conduct building-wide hygienic cleaning of all supply and return HVAC ductwork with negative air machines that include HEPA filtration, including encapsulation of their fiberglass duct boards in order to mitigate or prevent future degradation of their HVAC systems.

5. USE AIR PURIFICATION TECH – Hotel managers should use in-room air purifiers with automated detection technology and multi-stage high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration and ensure that PURE-Plasma bi-polar ionization technology is installed to allow for the continuous cleaning of indoor air to remove allergens, microbes, odors, and other particles that could pose risks to the health of travelers.

6. MONITOR CONDITIONS – Many large hotel companies now have access to technologies that would allow them to conduct real-time 24/7 IAQ monitoring of their buildings for particles, temperature, relative humidity (RH), carbon dioxide (CO2), and airborne volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in order to maintain their certification status.
   
   

https://www.influencive.com/how-hotels-can-keep-guests-safe-during-and-after-covid-19/

 

Readers Digest Analyzes Room Air Purifiers

It’s clear that airborne transmission (especially in enclosed, crowded spaces with little ventilation) plays a big role with COVID-19. To reduce the potential spread, you might be wondering if you should invest in one of the best air purifiers on the market—and you’re not alone. Air purifier sales have risen over the past year and are showing no signs of slowing down; in fact, they are projected to grow by more than $8 billion over the next three years.

While air purifiers may be able to capture bacterial and viral particles that are 0.3 microns or larger, that’s not the only reason to buy one. You might simply want to deal with the dusty, dank air in your home. “The air inside your home can actually be more polluted than outdoor air,” says Melanie Carver, chief mission officer for the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). “We spend more than 90 percent of our time indoors, and that percentage is likely even higher given the additional amount of time most of us are spending inside due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Air purifiers can help reduce indoor air pollution by removing tiny particles, such as dust mites, pet dander, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), odors, pollen, and air pollution from outside. All of this can particularly help people who suffer from allergies. But before you buy, there are a few things you need to know.

You want an air purifier you’ll actually use, so it’s best to choose one that’s easy to maintain. It’s also important to size it right for your room. But how else can you narrow down the thousands of models to find the best air purifier for you? Look for the evidence-based, scientific certification standard that air purifiers can earn, advises John McKeon, MD, founder and CEO of Allergy Standards Ltd. (ASL), which operates the certification program with the AAFA.

“To be certified, an air cleaner is tested on its ability to remove allergens and particulates from the air, and also to capture them. Many air-moving devices, such as fans, often just redistribute allergens onto walls and other surfaces,” Dr. McKeon says. “Some appliances can also produce relatively high levels of ozone and other harmful by-products, which have been shown to irritate those with sensitive airways. The Code of Federal Regulations sets a limit, and only air purifiers that meet this criteria are certified.”

For an air cleaner to be certified asthma & allergy friendly®, it must meet the following standards, says Carver:

• It must reduce allergen levels in the air.
• It must not introduce allergens back into the air. The air purifier needs to capture allergens on the filter and not redistribute them.

Best air purifier for a large space: Dyson Pure Cool DP04 Air Purifier Fan

·         $449.99

·         Energy Star–certified and able to clean and cool an 800-square-foot room, this HEPA filter air purifier promises to capture 99.97 percent of air pollutants. Aside from being beloved by the experts, this top-rated Dyson model also made Oprah’s list of favorite things—and it’s easy to see why. In addition to getting the job done, its smart technology sensors automatically react to changes in the indoor air quality and can alert you via the Dyson Link app. Here are more smart devices that are worth every penny.

Best air purifier for an apartment: LG PuriCare 3-Stage Filter Purifier

·         $299.95

·         Of course, not everyone needs an air purifier that covers a lot of ground (or, more accurately, air). If you have a smaller space, look to the LG PuriCare. It eliminates almost all dust, pollen, and pet dander from a 251-square-foot room, and its easy-to-read digital display shows the overall indoor air pollution level (green is clean; red is poor)

Best air purifier for your bedroom: Samsung Cube Smart Air Purifier

·         $549.00

·         If you’re a fussy sleeper, take note: This air purifier is about as quiet as they come. And, of course, it does what you need it to in terms of air purifying. Samsung’s True HEPA filtration says it can capture up to 99.97 percent of super-fine dust, allergens, and pet dander, and an activated carbon filter deodorizes any “off” scents in a 310-square-foot or smaller room. For a hands-off option, tap into the voice-control features that can take advantage of tools like Alexa to switch modes.

Best air purifier for the office: Dyson Pure Cool Link Air Purifying Desk Fan

·         $449.00

·         Working from home, or looking to bring something to the office? Snag this Dyson that “never disappoints,” according to one reviewer. It’s just 17 by 11 inches, but it packs a major purifying punch. It also connects to the Dyson Link app for easy controls, and its Air Multiplier technology

Best air purifier for creative types: RabbitAir MinusA2

·         $549.95

·         You’re not just limited to black, white, or metal with this flat-screen-esque model. You can choose a decorative cover inspired by classic masterpieces, cartoons, and more to spice up your space. In addition to doubling as a work of art, this RabbitAir can handle big rooms and even entire small apartments. It catches and reduces pollution from pets, smoke, and mildew for up to 700 square feet through its six-stage HEPA filtration and deodorization process.

 

School Buses Need to Upgrade to MERV 13 Filters

Lumin-Air a leader in air disinfection for school buses and mass transit, announced it is providing MERV-13 filters to improve the air quality in school buses and mass transit vehicles. 

In the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's February 9, 2021 update on Ventilation in Buildings, they state, "CDC recommends using the highest efficiency ventilation filters possible, without having detrimental effects on overall HVAC system performance. ASHRAE, has similar guidance, however, they recommend a minimum filtration efficiency target of MERV 13, provided there are not substantial negative impacts on the HVAC system performance and occupant comfort."

Dan Fillenwarth of Lumin-Air says, "MERV-13 air filters will provide an additional level of protection in high density spaces like school buses and mass transit vehicles where the density of people can be greater than in buildings. Improved filter efficiency will help mitigate the airborne transmission of harmful pathogens like SARS-CoV-2." 

MERV-13 air filters are high efficiency filters that capture pollen, allergens, molds, bacteria, viruses, and other particles that are missed with less efficient air filters. "The challenge is to improve filtration without adding additional pressure drop that transit ventilation systems can't handle. So, we provide a polarized media filter with the efficiency of a MERV-13 filter, but the low pressure drop of a typical MERV-4 bus filter. Independent certified airflow tests on a school bus show no airflow decrease with our MERV-13 equivalent filters compared to standard MERV-4 bus filters", says Fillenwarth.

Andrew Desmarais of Lumin-Air adds, "Another benefit of our filters is that the dust holding capacity is several times that of a typical bus filter, which allows the duration between filter changes to be extended, and replacement filter media is very economical."

Lumin-Air's MERV-13 air filters are a perfect complement to their UV retrofit, or they can be provided as a stand-alone improvement for any bus.

Ohio Opens Indoor Venues Based on MERV 13 Filters

Two new state health orders increase the number of people allowed in arenas, stadiums, theaters, wedding venues and catering facilities as Ohio sees more favorable COVID-19 numbers.

Gov. Mike DeWine announced the revised restrictions Thursday. The orders, signed by Ohio Department of Health Director Stephanie McCloud, took effect at 12:01 p.m. Tuesday.

Under the first order, indoor venues are capped at 25% of fixed, seated capacity and outdoor venues are capped at 30%. This applies to stadiums, arenas, theaters and other entertainment venues.

All other COVID-19 rules in effect since May remain in place, such as additional cleaning and requiring face coverings for employees and patrons. The new order also says indoor venues are expected to use filtration systems of MERV 13 or higher "as soon as practicably possible."

Rochester NY Opening Schools with MERV 13 Filters in Place

Ahead of its phase three reopening, the Rochester City School District has provided an update on its ventilation systems. The quality of the systems has been a source of controversy, after the teacher’s union claimed last week that the filters used in district schools were not up to par. 

The superintendent wrote in a letter Saturday that all school buildings will have MERV-13 filters by the end of the month, filters which help to reduce the spread of bacteria.

The quality of ventilation systems in Rochester School district facilities are the topic of a disagreement between the Rochester Teachers Association and the district superintendent.

The Rochester Teachers’ Association hired an independent firm to report on ventilation systems within the district, and President Adam Urbanski broke down the report last week when Phase 2 of reopening started.

“We’re dealing here with an airborne virus and if the ventilation isn’t up to standard then everyone is exposed to it,” said Urbanski.

MERV-13 filters are highly effective in eliminating contaminants and are ideal in situations where air quality control is important. The report claims that 9 of the 19 schools in Phase 2 did not have MERV-13 filters. So only filter out about 20% of the virus and not all of it,” said Urbanski.

The report came out two weeks ago. At the time District officials said:

“As for ventilation systems, we secured contracts with two companies for evaluation of ventilation.  When RTA leadership came to us with the idea of using a consultant of their choice, we jumped at the opportunity for collaboration.  MERV-13 filters have been delivered to all of the buildings in Phase 1 and 2 of our reopening plan, and all items with respect to ventilation in those buildings have been or will be addressed. Additionally, the decision to put MERV 13 filters in these buildings was done as an extra level of care and safety for our students and staff. We are following recommendations from the New York State Department of Health and the State Education Department.  None of those recommendations specifically mention the use of MERV filters.

Saturday, the school district released their own report that shows all district schools but two have been fitted with MERV-13 filters. The superintendent is waiting for final shipments saying in a letter; “All of our school buildings, with the exception of Leadership Academy for Young Men and Rochester International Academy, are equipped with MERV13 filters…Those schools will have the filters installed before their opening day on Thursday.”

 

Texas and Mississippi Lift Mask Mandate and Allow 100 % Capacity at Facilities

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced Tuesday that he is lifting the state's mask mandate and increasing capacity of all businesses and facilities in the state to 100%. Abbott, a Republican, said the mandates are no longer needed due to advancements of vaccines and therapeutics to protect against COVID-19.

His new executive order goes into effect on Wednesday, March 10, and it rescinds most of the governor's earlier executive orders related to the coronavirus.

"With the medical advancements of vaccines and antibody therapeutic drugs, Texas now has the tools to protect Texans from the virus," Abbott said in address to the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce.

"We must now do more to restore livelihoods and normalcy for Texans by opening Texas 100 percent. Make no mistake, COVID-19 has not disappeared, but it is clear from the recoveries, vaccinations, reduced hospitalizations, and safe practices that Texans are using that state mandates are no longer needed."

Abbott says the order ensures "that all businesses and families in Texas have the freedom to determine their own destiny."

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves made a similar announcement shortly thereafter — on a shorter timeline.

"Starting tomorrow, we are lifting all of our county mask mandates and businesses will be able to operate at full capacity without any state-imposed rules. Our hospitalizations and case numbers have plummeted, and the vaccine is being rapidly distributed. It is time!" he tweeted.

The moves come just days after CDC Director Rochelle Walensky warned that progress in the U.S. against the virus was "stalling."

"Things are tenuous. Now is not the time to relax restrictions," Walensky said on Friday. 

Both states have seen declines in the average daily number of new cases of COVID-19. In the past week, The New York Times reports, Texas has seen an average of 7,693 cases per day – down 18% from the average two weeks earlier. The average daily number of deaths has declined by 13% over that period.

In Mississippi, the declines have been more pronounced. The state's average daily number of new cases declined by 27% over the average two weeks earlier, and average daily deaths declined by 34% in that same period.

More than 43,000 people have died from COVID-19 in Texas, and there have been more than 2.6 million confirmed cases in the state.