A COMPARISON OF AIR PURIFICATION METHODS

HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) Filtration

• Pleated type filter that is 99.97% efficient in trapping particles 0.3 microns and larger. However, use on most commercial and industrial applications is impractical.
• Can be incorporated into central HVAC systems or used as stand alone units.
• Can not treat the source of contaminants, can only filter contaminated air from entering an area.
• Is not effective on many mold spores, bacteria and viruses.
• Will restrict airflow when incorporated into central systems and increase energy costs.
• Requires several maintenance visits to replace used filters each year.

• Disinfects by passing air through ultra-violet light.
• Can be incorporated into central HVAC systems or used as stand alone units.
• UV light can only treat contaminants that pass directly through the light field. Ambient air that does not enter through the light field will not be affected.
• UV is dependant on contaminants being exposed to the light field for a time period long enough for the contaminant to be treated.
• UV is dangerous when exposed to humans.
• Some elements (for example Aspergillus Niger) are resistant to UV altogether.
• Will not restrict airflow when incorporated into central systems.

• Creates single polarity ionization to attract particles.
• The single polarity will use walls or any nearby surface as the needed opposite polarity. This will attract the charged particles to that surface, producing "black or dirty walls".
• Will only work in a small area around the unit (8 to 9 inch radius).
• Uses high energy (25,000 to 40,000 volts) to produce ions.
• Mostly ineffective against bacteria, spores and VOC compounds.
• Creates uncontrollable positive ion output – coupled with high energy output will create ozone.
• Will interfere with radio equipment, etc.
• Can not be incorporated into central HVAC systems.

• Examples of these units are the many "stick style" portable units.
• Will collect particles on a metal surface contained in the unit and produces single polarity ions by electrifying collector plates.
• Only effective inches from the unit.
• Will create ozone.
• Ineffective against bacteria, spores and VOC compounds.
• Cannot be incorporated into central HVAC systems.

• Disinfects air by producing and distributing a controlled amount of positive and negative ions which restore oxygen molecules to an active state.
• By controlling positive ion output and using low energy (2,200 to 3,000 volts) ozone is not produced.  
• Effective against bacteria, mold spores, VOCs, odors, and particles.
• Can treat the source of contamination.  Technology is proactive, not reactive.
• Can be incorporated into central HVAC systems providing an entire building solution.
• 99% of all airborne particles are less than 1 micron in size.  These particles cannot be removed by most system filters.  Only a Plasma Air ionization system is capable of removing these particles through agglomeration.  
• Will not restrict airflow and uses very little energy.
• Requires yearly maintenance to replace used tubes.

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