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A breath of fresh air. It's something you need to recharge, to signify a new beginning or to calm down before saying something you'd regret. But getting a breath of truly fresh air is easier said than done, even indoors, where expensive ventilation and air filtration systems are installed. According to the American Lung Association (ALA), most office buildings' HVAC systems frequently expel biological substances such as mold, bacteria, pollen and dust mites, which can cause breathing problems when inhaled.
Carpets can act as a magnet for chemical and biological pollutants like pesticides, dust mites and fungi, which can't be seen by the naked eye or removed without the proper tools. According to the Department of Energy (DOE), High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters are the proper tools to combat pollutants, thus improving indoor air quality (IAQ).
IAQ and your health
In the DOE Standard, DOE HEPA Filter Test Program, originally published in 1987, the department defined HEPA as "a throwaway, extended-media, dry type filter with a rigid casing enclosing the full depth of the pleats. The filter shall exhibit a minimum efficiency of 99.97 percent when tested at an aerosol diameter of 0.3 micrometers aerodynamic diameter."
A micrometer, commonly referred to as a micron, is about 75 times smaller than the diameter of one human hair, meaning that a HEPA filter must pick up 99.97 percent of the particles that are one-third this size in a given area. No other filter has as high a standard to meet as HEPA does.
Jacalyn High, marketing manager of ProTeam, a leader in the HEPA filter industry, boasts the benefits of improving IAQ in professional settings through the use of HEPA filter vacuums.
"Numerous studies have been conducted by the American Lung Association, universities, the Environmental Protection Agency, and industry standards organizations on IAQ and the role vacuums play," High says. "Any machine that can help rid floors and other surfaces of allergens is going to have a positive impact on health."
How can higher IAQ improve your health? In plenty of ways. The ALA claims that poor indoor air quality can contribute to the development of chronic respiratory diseases like asthma, headaches, dry eyes, nasal congestion, nausea, fatigue and even lung cancer, depending on the pollutant. And people who already suffer from respiratory diseases can experience worsening conditions when exposed to rooms and buildings with poor IAQ.
These factors prompted maintenance professionals to demand more products for their customers who are concerned with improving respiratory and overall health.
"Many of our customers have inquired about HEPA products to meet the IAQ needs of their clients," High explains. "More studies prove how excellent IAQ improves tenant and worker health and productivity. And economic benefits include improving the ability to attract new employees and achieve tax breaks by meeting Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards," she adds
Distributors also should know and inform their clients on the dangers that new carpet can pose on a facility or home. New carpet, in addition to the padding and adhesives used during installation, is known to emit somewhat harmful chemicals. Some report symptoms such as eye, nose and throat irritation; headaches; skin irritations; shortness of breath or cough; and fatigue.
Using the filtering power of HEPA-equipped vacuums is the best resource when attempting to combat harmful biological and chemical pollutants indoors.
HEPA demand
Although HEPA filtration technology has been studied since the 1980s, it has only recently intruded the mainstream market. HEPA filtration devices have remained in high demand as the prices decrease and variety increases.
The vacuum industry as a whole has experienced higher demand since the introduction of HEPA filters into mainstream vacuum product lines.
Brad Hoare, senior marketing director for Electrolux's Sanitaire brand and commercial products, says that improving human health is only one reason that demand for HEPA has risen.
"Demand is increasing because of heightened awareness and its ties to the green cleaning movement," he explains.
Hoare anticipates a continuation of the upward growth trend in Electrolux's Sanitaire brand.
"The Green Cleaning HEPA filtration line of vacuums is one of our fastest growing areas in our commercial line. I don't see that trend changing, and I think it will continue to grow in double digits," Hoare says.
ProTeam has also experienced an increase in vacuum sales since they've introduced HEPA level filtrations systems into their products line. They've even identified particular markets that are jumping on the bandwagon more rapidly than others. High says that schools are purchasing their HEPA level filtration systems at a faster rate than some of the other markets they serve.
Educating your clients
Case in point: Demand for HEPA filters is not declining. Clients who are holding off on purchasing HEPA vacuums because they feel it is a fleeting trend will be doing themselves a disservice by falling behind the curve.
Distributors can turn to companies like ProTeam and Electrolux to inform their clients on the benefits and features of HEPA filtration.
Electrolux's Sanitaire brand's website, www.sanitairecommercial.com, provides educational literature for each of the six industries they serve, which are building services, education, food services, government, healthcare and hotel.
ProTeam has partnered with the ALA to produce informational pamphlets that are used by their sales representatives and distributors to educate cleaning professionals about the benefits of a healthy indoor environment. Their campaign is called "Cleaning for Health" and their brochure can be downloaded at http://www.pro-team.com/content.asp?PageID=116.
author: BY ELISE SOMMERFELDT