Over recent years, airmid healthgroup has become a market leader in the assessment of airborne bio-particulate load in indoor spaces. Unique services are provided to clients in both state-of-the-art large scale chambers or in “field” situations, i.e. environmental studies in homes, offices, and other places where people congregate.
We can measure bio-particulates such as viral particles, bacteria, fungi/molds, as well as allergens from house dust mites, various pollens, animal dander e.g. cat/dog and particular toxins. Measurement is undertaken by the most sophisticated immunoassay and molecular biological techniques.
Many of the studies performed by airmid have led to a complete re-evaluation of product performance and service intervention impacts. Often, results have been pivotal in driving design improvements. Not alone has airmid performed the studies but we have also brought the conclusions to the attention of the medical/scientific community through a variety of routes.
As experience has progressed, we at airmid realised that when air is being introduced into an indoor space through a ducting network, there is a potent opportunity to clean the air in a highly efficient manner. The introduction of new technologies into ducting systems for the purpose of maintaining particle free air represents both a challenge and an opportunity.
To encourage and assist air handling manufacturing companies to place greater emphasis on the development of such new technologies, we are delighted to report a unique and exciting development at our testing facility in Dublin. Our engineers have designed and installed a modified ASHRAE 52.2 duct system that attaches to our ASTM/AHAM environmental test chamber and allows for the assessment of in-duct purifying systems on bio-particulates.
Suitable technologies for assessment in this system don’t just include media based mechanical filtration. We are particularly focused on products using other systems, either existing or in development. Recirculating air through the chamber and back into the ducting system on a repeated basis with a range of fresh air flow dilution rates serves to replicate what is happening in real homes and offices. Of course, the air cleaning device may be designed for placement in the room itself. In this case, the bio-particulates can be introduced into the chamber directly or through the ducting with an option to recirculate air or not.
The quality of information generated is enhanced by the fact that we use real household dusts, known viral, bacterial and fungal organism loads and other known particulates ranging from greater than 10 microns to sub-micron sizes. We welcome discussion with air cleaner manufacturers about their new or existing technologies, and look forward to advising and assessing the effect of such systems on the main pollutants in indoor air.
Click here ==> to watch video of the ASHRAE type duct and ASTM chamber