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Pilot study of high‐performance air filtration for classroom applications
Author(s) -
Polidori A.,
Fine P. M.,
White V.,
Kwon P. S.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
indoor air
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.387
H-Index - 99
eISSN - 1600-0668
pISSN - 0905-6947
DOI - 10.1111/ina.12013
Subject(s) - air purifier , environmental science , particulates , hepa , ultrafine particle , filtration (mathematics) , hvac , indoor air quality , pollutant , environmental engineering , air quality index , waste management , air pollution , air conditioning , filter (signal processing) , engineering , chemistry , meteorology , electrical engineering , mechanical engineering , statistics , mathematics , organic chemistry , chemical engineering , inlet , physics
Abstract A study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of three air purification systems in reducing the exposure of children to air contaminants inside nine classrooms of three S outhern C alifornia schools. Continuous and integrated measurements were conducted to monitor the indoor and outdoor concentrations of ultrafine particles ( UFP s), fine and coarse particulate matter ( PM 2.5 and PM 10 , respectively), black carbon ( BC ), and volatile organic compounds. An heating, ventilating, and air conditioning ( HVAC )‐based high‐performance panel filter ( HP ‐ PF ), a register‐based air purifier ( RS ), and a stand‐alone air cleaning system ( SA ) were tested alone and in different combinations for their ability to remove the monitored pollutants. The combination of a RS and a HP ‐ PF was the most effective solution for lowering the indoor concentrations of BC , UFP s, and PM 2.5 , with study average reductions between 87% and 96%. When using the HP ‐ PF alone, reductions close to 90% were also achieved. In all cases, air quality conditions were improved substantially with respect to the corresponding baseline (preexisting) conditions. Data on the performance of the gas‐absorbing media included in the RS and SA unit were inconclusive, and their effectiveness, lifetime, costs, and benefits must be further assessed before conclusions and recommendations can be made.