Why Indoor Air Quality Matters
The quality of the air we breathe is crucial to our overall health, making indoor air quality (IAQ) a vital concern for healthier living environments. Addressing IAQ effectively requires technologies that can tackle all harmful contaminants from mold, bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other dangerous pollutants known as PM 2.5. The challenge lies in choosing the right indoor air quality solution among the various available technologies to effectively address this complex problem with proven, measurable results.
Many technologies are available — so how do you know which product will achieve the results needed to deliver a cleaner environment and reduce the risk of airborne virus transmission?
Exploring Different Indoor Air Quality Solutions
Today’s air purification market includes a range of technologies commonly used to address IAQ concerns, including:
- Ionization
- Hydroxyls (Ionization)
- Needlepoint bipolar ionization
- Plasma (ionization)
- UV-C – UVGI
- Filtration
The Facts About Ionization
Ionization is often promoted by air filtration and disinfection products, sometimes with impressive claims of a 99% reduction in contaminants. However, a closer examination reveals several limitations. The truth is underwhelming once you peel back the layers of how these tests were performed. These claims often fail to reflect real-world conditions, and their performance data is typically generated in idealized test chambers
Before we get into the test data, let’s outline some key facts about this technology.
- Ion generation is limited in the total dose concentration output to reduce risks of ozone
- Ion density dissipates within 60 seconds, making it insufficient to deactivate viruses or bacteria in a typical room environment
- All test data from credible third parties (NIH, ACS, and EPA) have found ionization ineffective for air treatment, with potential unintentional consequences
- Ions can also contribute to secondary organic aerosols such as formic acid, chloroform, and acetic acid
- Creates an additive of particles and provides no filtration, therefore having no impact on the removal of harmful particles, both viable (living) and non-viable (not living)
See below links to ionization studies:
- Large-scale evaluation of microorganism inactivation by bipolar ionization and photocatalytic devices
- Study Shows that Electronic Air Cleaning Technology Can Generate Unintended Pollutants
- Effectiveness of a plasma treatment device on microbial air quality in a hospital ward, monitored by culture
- Use of Bipolar Ionization for Disinfection within Airplanes
- Falsely Advertised?: Class Action Claims Global Plasma Solutions’ Air Cleaning Products ‘Make the Air Worse’
When challenged in dynamic real-world conditions, ionization has proven ineffective and sometimes adds harmful pollutants to the facility. The impact is shown in scientific tests that were performed in a small chamber <40 cubic meters sq. under controlled conditions, which do not reflect operational environments.
Additional data was obtained from controlled healthcare rooms where air change rates are at a premium of >8 air change rates per hour. There are simply no dynamic results available for any area where there is a high occupancy density and inadequate air handling systems. Test data presented to the public was performed not to challenge the product but rather to position the product in an environment where positive results are guaranteed. As you can see from the ionization studies, the evidence proves their ineffectiveness once these devices are challenged in real conditions outside of a chamber or controlled atmosphere.
While ionization, plasma, and nanostrike indoor air quality solutions may seem appealing and affordable, their actual results do not meet expectations. The cost is irrelevant if the product fails to deliver, leading to a false sense of security and continuous risk for you and others.
The Facts About UVGI
Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) is another air disinfection technology that raises important questions around its effectiveness and safety.
While UV has proven to be effective in certain controlled conditions or at the point of contamination (heating/cooling coil, filter), UV is not an air purifier, nor can air by-pass through a mechanical fan with an integrated UV lamp, as this would not allow enough dose concentration within the irradiation zone to inactivate a microorganism.
Effective UVGI use depends on several critical environmental and system variables, including:
- Correct fixture placement
- Airflow rate and path control
- Humidity management
- Avoidance of reflective or obstructive materials
Additionally, UV can produce ozone, and requires careful handling. Moreover, UV is an oxidizer and toxic to living things, so again, proper placement is essential for safety.
UVGI can be an effective piece to your mitigation strategies, but alone it will not be enough to improve your IAQ. If UVGI is a technology you want to consider, you must discuss it with a professional to ensure a designed placement layout is professionally presented. Studies support UVGI’s effectiveness in controlled settings, but ongoing research, especially on 222 nm wavelengths, is needed to determine broader efficacy.
The Facts About Filtration
Filtration is by far the most effective indoor air quality solution, with absolutely no unintentional by-products produced. However, there are some things you need to remain cautious about, as not all air purifiers are created equal.
Simply adding a filtered system in a room is not enough. Key factors to consider include:
- Filter type
- Airflow Capacity
- Optimal placement
- Proper maintenance and filter replacement
It is recommended to use H14 HEPA filters, ensuring they are not placed on the floor in non-residential spaces. Additionally, the number of units should be sized according to the room’s air volume and occupancy density.
Placement is crucial to the overall effectiveness. Much like UVGI, a professional should always be involved to determine the optimal positioning, and quantity of air filtration systems required to improve IAQ and efficiently mitigate airborne viruses. The ceiling is by far the most optimal position, as it removes pollutants from the breathing zone and utilizes natural thermal plumes from heat sources like humans.
Unlike ionization or UVGI, real-world studies have been performed in dynamic conditions to test the efficiency of these units. The data consistently proves the efficacy and delivers results of total concentration load reductions. Tests were performed before installation to get a baseline and post-installation to measure the performance. These are by far the best results a customer could ask for as these provide realistic expectations of how a product will perform in conditions that occur in active settings.
Additionally, as stated in the White House Address “Let’s Clear the Air on Covid,” filtration and ventilation are the only proven indoor air quality solutions without unintentional consequences.
Emerging technologies have not been proven effective in real-world conditions, and lack long-term exposure impact assessments. Any technology that adds an additive or claims to kill bacteria, fungi, or viruses should be researched thoroughly. We, as humans, are nothing more than a compilation of cells, so if additives are floating in the air to kill microorganisms, what is the impact on humans? The best path forward is to use the technology that has been proven to work without risks.
Speak with an Expert
To ensure your IAQ solution is both effective and scientifically validated, consult with a filtration specialist. We can help assess your building’s needs and recommend a tailored strategy that prioritizes safety, efficiency, and real-world performance.