With every breath we take in, we inhale millions of tiny particles and germs that could devastate our lungs. Nowhere is this more apparent than Mainland China. An artist from Beijing recently brought attention to the worst of Chinese pollution by using a vacuum to aggregate a brick out of the smog. This pollution reportedly kills 1.6 million people in China every year. Air pollution in the United States is a far cry from China, but in cities such as Los Angeles, Pittsburg and Birmingham the air quality is still decidedly awful. And even in the cities where the air quality itself is good, people can suffer from airborne pathogens which are often not killed by common air filters that are designed to keep larger particles out. However, there are three technologies available commercially which can be used to kill pathogens. Namely UV radiation, Air Sterilizers, Silver Coatings and Biodegradable Organic Materials. Ultraviolet air purifiers, as they are called utilize a UV lamp that kills 99% of airborne bacteria, viruses and even pollen.

The UV light is built into the central air conditioning and filtration unit and would have all the airflow redirected around it. This way the purifier passively kills all sorts of pathogens for years, since UV lamps have a long lifetime. Air Sterilizers work similarly to UV purifiers in that they use something that naturally eradicates pathogens – heat. In an air sterilizer, all the air is diverted into an insulated chamber that can reach temperatures of 400F and kill 100% of all bacteria, viruses, pollen and mold. The air is then cooled down to the desired temperature and released into the building. As effective and maintenance free the above two methods are, they have high upfront costs since an entirely new unit must be installed within the existing air conditioning or central heating system. Additionally, passive heating can also very passively increase utility costs. This is why there are cheaper methods which involve some help from nanotechnology. As mentioned in my last post, silver nanoparticles are very effective at killing bacteria, viruses and fungi in addition to being even more effective than traditional silver coatings.

Additionally, coating existing filters with silver nanoparticles allows nanotechnology to be retrofitted to all the existing systems in households, hospitals and other buildings. They can even be coated onto surgical masks and made portable, unlike UV and heat treatment. However, many people are uncertain about the effects of using nanoparticles on our bodies and the environment. how to remove mold from my air conditionerEven though the silver on filters wouldn’t enter the body, it would enter landfills and may penetrate into groundwater and soil for years. natural room air purifierThe toxicity of silver nanoparticles in the environment is still under investigation since they could be very toxic to flora and fauna.dynamic air cleaner manual

The best option then is to use Biodegradable Organic Materials such as polymers. Polymers are cheap to manufacture, can be made very specific to their applications and they can also be made so that they are nontoxic and biodegradable. One such polymer is Amosil-Q, which forms nanosheets that have molecular scale spikes on the surface. These spikes can kill 99.9% of bacteria, viruses and fungi instantly upon contact and can remain bonded to the surface of choice for months. Amosil-Q combines the effectiveness of silver with the nontoxicity and environmental friendliness of many polymers. The experts at Nano Global have designed a range of products that incorporate Amosil-Q, such as Nano Pure for Air. Traditional air purification systems work through capturing airborne bacteria and viral particles using mechanical and electrostatic filtration. Nano Global’s Nano Pure technology is now available to take air purification a step further. Capable of being coated onto any air filtration device from the clothing we wear such as scarves or masks, to industrial machines that filter airplane exhaust or eradicate warehouse carbon monoxide, the Nano Pure technology effectively eliminates unwanted microbes from the air supply continuously for an extended period of time.

The Nano Global solution will not only help the longevity of the planet, but also will save millions of lives. < Previous ArticleWater, Water, Everywhere, Nor Any Drop to Drink. Next Article >Skin Deep: Overview of Nanomaterials in Cosmetics Air Supply Systems and Accessories (4) Cartridges & Filters (3) Continuous Flow Supplied Air Respirators (CF-SAR) (12) Fit Test Kits and Adapters (4) Hoods & Helmets for PAPR and Supplied Air (3) Hoses & Couplers (1) Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPR) (13) Respirators for Escape (7) Respirators for Tactical/Riot Control & CBRN (4) Respirators for Welding (4) Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) (16) Single Use (Disposable) Respirators (6) Storage and Cleaning Supplies (1) Supplied Air Respirators (SAR) (24) + View more types Honeywell Safety Products proudly offers a comprehensive range of quality products designed to address all of your safety concerns.

When it comes to choosing respiratory protection, Honeywell is a partner companies worldwide know they can trust. As an industry leader in respiratory protection, Honeywell Safety Products provides workers all over the planet with the respiratory masks they need to work with complete confidence. Honeywell ER5000 Escape Breathing ApparatusThat's why Honeywell designed an advanced emergency Escape Breathing Apparatus that's so easy to use, it can be donned and functioning in seconds. Available in 5-minute, 10-minute, and 5-minute high flow durations. Selecting the appropriate Respirator For those who work with toxic chemicals and other hazardous substances, respirators are an essential component of an effective safety program. Selecting the appropriate respirator must take into consideration the unique hazards of each worker’s particular job and jobsite. Hazards vary widely, from airborne particulates such a dust, and fumes, gas and vapors, or any combination of these.

A respirator designed for protecting workers from fumes may not provide adequate protection for a worker exposed to acid gas, for example. Honeywell’s respirators adhere to the highest industry standards. And when companies partner with Honeywell Safety Products, they can rest assured that they are taking the strongest precautions to protect their employees’ respiratory health. Our commitment to helping companies safeguard their employees’ health is one we’ve held true to for over 125 years. You can count on us. Honeywell Safety Products offers a multitude of respirators and related equipment covering a broad spectrum of industries and work hazards. To download the complete Respiratory Protection Product Guide, click the link below. PPE for Mold Remediation Get basic guidance on PPE considerations for flood and disaster clean-up situations involving mold. Includes FAQs and a list of products to address mold remediation needs, from minimum to highest risk levels.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Mold Remediation (PDF) North CF7000 Series Abrasive Blast Respirator North® CF7000 Series Abrasive Blast Respirator is BREAKING NEW GROUND in the Respiratory Market Place! The patented CF7000 Series is tested and certified to the NIOSH 42 CFR 84 standard as a combination Type CE continuous flow supplied air (CF-SAR) abrasive blast respirator and air purifying respirator (APR) with P100 filters placed directly on the facepiece, for entry, exit, inermittent use to move from one air source to another, and escape.CF7000 Series is lightweight, intuitive to use, with a wide panoramic view and optional climate control! The NEW CF7000 Series Abrasive Blast Respirator has all this and much more! Fit Test and Training Tools Effective April 22, 2010, Contractors working on Lead Abatement are now required by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to be certified. The Links below offer information regarding the OSHA Lead Standard and a Marketing Bulletin with added information regarding standards and products.

Click on the links below: Marketing Bulletin - EPA Lead Requirement and P100 Respirators Honeywell Technical Paper  - OSHA Lead and Construction Honeywell Technical Paper  - OSHA Lead and General Industry SAF-T-FIT Plus P100 Filtering Facepiece Respirator Data Sheet Honeywell training tools provide instructions to ensure your fit testing and use and maintenance complies with OSHA-accepted guidelines. Below are quick links with information for all your fit test and training needs. Respirator Donning/Fit Check Instructions - English Fit Test / Use and Maintenance DVD YouTube Honeywell Training Videos OSHA MedCert Online Medical Evaluation Honeywell esLife® Cartridge Service Life Estimator for North® N-Series Cartridges Technical Bulletins and Safety Information TECHNICAL BULLETINS AND WHITE PAPERS Respiratory Protection Technical Bulletins > Respiratory Protection White Papers> SAFETY AND INFORMATION NOTICES

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