RxFiltration System (Proprietary)

Viruses

They are both living and nonliving. They are un-living in the environment but once they enter their host cell they become living. 

Can Viruses Be Filtered By Air Cleaners?

Because viruses are so small, some less than .03 microns, most air cleaners cannot capture them effectively, although most claim to in their promotional material. Air cleaning systems that use a combination of HEPA filters, pre-filters and electrostatic filters may achieve the best results since none alone can guarantee consistent removal and eradication of viruses from the air stream.

EPA studies have found that the effectiveness of hybrid units can be limited if airflow is not properly configured which can cause increased air resistance that could allow the air to bypass the cleaning mechanisms. 

Correct placement and maintenance of portable air cleaners are also considered crucial to capturing and removing airborne viruses.

Prescription Indoor Air’s RxFiltration System

HEPA filters have been used in biomedical applications since the 1940s to prevent the spread of airborne bacteria and viral organisms. Specific requirements for different types of HEPA classifications range from clean-room quality to true HEPA filters to HEPA-like filters. True HEPA filters are available for the residential market and they are regulated by the United States Department of Energy (DOE) to be 99.997% efficient, allowing no more than 3 particles in 10,000 to penetrate the filter. 

Even the best HEPA filter will not capture viruses and can lose its effectiveness at trapping viruses as the particulate matter builds up and causes more resistance to the airflow. According to the EPA there is no standardized test available to measure the effectiveness of virus filtration.

Due to the proprietary 24/7 RxFiltration System, the Prescription Indoor Air program can capture particles smaller than 0.3 microns in size. Predictive and routine cleaning schedules guarantee a safe and clean working and learning environment.

Electrostatic Air Filters clean the air by using static electricity, a safe, naturally occurring phenomenon. An electrostatic charge is generated by air flowing through a maze of static prone fibers. Airborne particles are attracted and held by the static Electrostatic Air Filters contain an EPA registered anti-microbial material to inhibit mold and bacteria growth on the air filter surface.

The air you breathe contains many irritants such as pollen, dust, bacteria, mold spores, pet dander and smoke. Most of these particles are smaller than one micron. Electrostatic Air Filters are an effective and efficient way to reduce the number of these particles in the air. This illustration shows the typical dust loading pattern of the electrostatic fibers. This unique characteristic improves air flow while providing maximum filtration.

Electrostatic Filter Media 

The concept of electrostatically charging a filter media (often called an electret) was discovered in 1931 and has been used to enhance filter media efficiency since then.  Most modern electrostatically charged filter media are produced from polymeric (synthetic) materials. Many polymers will become charged during the process of converting them to fibers and filter media.  This charge is often short lived. Fibers of different polymers can be combined in a filter media to create a “tribo-electric” charge.  Again, this electrostatic charge may not last long in a filter.  Another method of creating an electrostatic filter media is by corona discharge, which creates fibers of opposite charge in cross section.  In all cases, particles of an opposite charge to the attracting filter media fiber or particles with a dipole (oppositely charged ends) are attracted to the filter media fibers in a similar way to dust being attracted to a television screen.

The triboelectric effect (also known as triboelectric charging) is a type of contact electrification in which certain materials become electrically charged after they come into frictive contact with a different material. Rubbing glass with fur, or a comb through the hair, can build up triboelectricity. Most everyday static electricity is triboelectric. The polarity and strength of the charges produced differ according to the materials, surface roughness, temperature, strain, and other properties.

Electrostatic Filters/Precipitators

This method of air cleaning uses opposing charges to cause particulates to stick together. Filters capture very fine particulates, including viruses, but it does not kill them.