What is Coronavirus and How is it Spread?

Coronavirus is a label given to a group of viruses. There are many different types of viruses in the group. Some are associated with the common cold, while others can cause more serious illness. SARS-CoV-2 is a newly identified coronavirus. This is the virus that has shut down much of the world and spread a serious respiratory illness called COVID-19.

Although researchers are still learning about how the virus spreads, observations show it is transferred through droplets released into the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or even talks.

The virus itself is tiny, measuring only about 0.125 microns (a micron is 1/1,000th of a millimetre). However, the droplets the virus initially travels in are much larger, typically measuring around 1 micron.

Filtering the Coronavirus

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended that all healthcare workers wear N95 respirator masks to protect them from contracting COVID-19. These protective respiratory devices achieve a much closer facial fit than standard face masks. The “N95” designation means the respirator is tested to filter at least 95% of test particles measuring 0.3 microns. When properly fitted, N95 respirators filter airborne particles very efficiently.

HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Arresting) media has a higher standard of particle filtration than an N95 mask. According to NASA, HEPA media effectively filters nanoparticles as tiny as approximately 0.015 microns in diameter.

HEPA filters are highly effective at catching particles much smaller than the average virus. Since the novel coronavirus measures 0.125 microns, this suggests HEPA media is capable of filtering the virus from the air.

Activated Carbon Technology and the Novel Coronavirus

NASA pairs HEPA material with granular activated carbon for particle absorption in space shuttle cabins. Granular activated carbon is carbon that has been specially processed to create small pores. The pores increase the carbon’s surface area and increase its ability to absorb particles.

High Efficiency Gas Arresting (HEGA) material is a special woven activated carbon cloth. HEGA material was recognized for its potent antiviral qualities through research conducted by the United Kingdom’s Health Protection Agency.

The technology used in HEGA material was originally developed for military applications to protect personnel from a variety of chemical, biological, and nuclear hazards. Military-grade HEGA Carbon Cloth is one of the most absorptive materials on the face of the planet. With its incredibly large surface area, it easily absorbs a wide range of chemicals, gases, viruses, and bacteria.

Austin Air Purifiers and Coronavirus

A HEPA air filtration system would be a smart addition to your family’s coronavirus safety precautions, especially for those stuck indoors for long periods of time. 

Also, if you have a family member with COVID-19, or a healthcare worker self-quarantining for the family’s safety, using an air purifier in the quarantine room could help protect the rest of the family.

Austin Air uses four stage filtration which includes HEGA Carbon Cloth and a full 140 square meter of HEPA material in its Allergy Machine 405 and Bedroom Machine 402.

The HEPA material delivers comprehensive particulate removal, while the HEGA cloth removes volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and offers protection against viruses. The HEPA media in Austin Air filters is true medical grade with the highest Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value available (MERV-17). 

The HealthMate 400 and HealthMate Plus 450 also feature 140 square meter of HEPA media and packed beds of granular carbon (15 pounds), both of which are used in the cabin filtration systems of NASA spacecraft.   

The Allergy Machine, The Bedroom Machine, HealthMate or HealthMate Plus would be a sensible addition to your coronavirus safety precautions.

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How HEPA works to protect against Covid-19

HEPA is short for High Efficiency Particulate Arrestance and is highly effective at removing the smallest of particles from the air. But watch out for ‘HEPA Type’ filters, they may claim to be just as effective as True HEPA, but they are not. True HEPA is heavily regulated and must meet stringent standards.

All True HEPA is capable of filtering 99.97% of particles that are 0.3 microns or larger. So is HEPA less efficient at filtering smaller particles, such as viruses? No, not at all, in fact the opposite is true. HEPA is more effective at filtering the smaller particles and is actually rated according to the particle size it performs worst at. And as 0.3 particles are more difficult to catch than larger and smaller particles, that’s the number quoted in the rating.

Why you need an air purifier at work

When someone comes to work with a cold or worse, it’s only a matter of time before everyone in the office is coughing and sneezing. This is because the office environment is often difficult to ventilate, modern buildings are sealed shut, with no option to open a window. And older buildings, with outdated HVAC systems, do not provide adequate ventilation or filtration. Using a portable HEPA air purifier, such as the Austin Air HealthMate + Plus 450 is a cost-effective way to ensure contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, are safely removed from the air.

Austin Air is the right choice in a commercial setting

All our units use the highest quality Medical Grade HEPA and carbon blend, to effectively filter a wide range of contaminants, including chemicals and VOC’s, allergens, dust, viruses and bacteria. Our long filter life and extremely durable steel casing, makes Austin Air Purifiers the number one choice in a commercial setting. No maintenance, no costly filter changes. Just plug in and leave to run 24/7.

Discounts on bulk orders

We’re currently offering some great deals on large orders. So if you’d like to learn more about our Air Purifiers and how they can help keep you safe at work, visit our PRODUCT page today.

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The post The Austin Air HealthMate + Plus 450 is the number one choice for your office or workspace appeared first on PT. Cahaya Timur Jaya Abadi.

There is currently a lot of attention worldwide for the spread of COVID-19. It was already clear that this can happen at a short distance, for example by coughing or sneezing. Various studies show that the virus can also circulate through the air at a longer distance. How does this exactly work?

The role of aerosols

Aerosols appear to be a major culprit in the spread of COVID-19. The tiny floating droplets that humans emit contain hundreds of thousands of bacteria and virus particles. This also applies to the COVID-19 virus! In poorly ventilated areas, these fine moisture droplets can linger in the air for hours.

Good ventilation and purification of the indoor air helps

Fortunately, more and more studies show that good ventilation in combination with the right air purifier can minimize a significant portion of the aerosols containing virus particles. It is therefore important to know whether the room in which you want to move is equipped with the right resources.

How does it work in practice?

We can help you prepare for a good indoor climate with clean air. For example, one of our air purifiers, the VisionAir Blue Line, was recently tested by an independent research institute. It was concluded that more than 97% of the virus particles were purified from the air.

Contact

Our indoor air experts can advise you about your specific situation without obligation. Would you rather read more about the possibilities first? We will be happy to send you a brochure and / or a copy of the research report.

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The post Breathe a sigh of relief in times of COVID-19? appeared first on PT. Cahaya Timur Jaya Abadi.

The danger of VOC’s

VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds) are emitted from certain types of materials, such as plastics, cleaning products and new furnishings. Exposure to VOC’s can cause a wide range of symptoms, from headaches and runny nose, to more serious conditions such as liver and kidney damage, some VOC’s are also known to cause cancer.

New toys, plastic decorations, your new sofa and carpets are all potential sources of VOC’s, so take the time to read the labels before buying. Look out for products that are described as low or no VOC and when possible, choose natural materials that have little or no risk of off-gassing.

Watch out for Christmas candles

At this time of year, we all want to fill our homes with the scents of the season. But watch out, scented candles and sprays often contain dangerous amounts of chemicals and VOC’s. If you want your home to smell festive this Christmas, opt for essential oils. When buying candles, look out for products made from natural ingredients such as soy, hemp or beeswax.

Cooking up a storm in the kitchen?

Our kitchens will be busier than usual over the coming weeks. If you’re cooking on a gas stove, you could be releasing dangerous amounts of Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂) into the air. Nitrogen Dioxide gas is particularly hazardous for people with respiratory diseases, such as asthma and COPD, as it can aggravate existing symptoms.

Ventilation is key, if you have an oven hood, keep it running, and if you don’t, open a few windows and doors to let the air circulate.

Open fires linked to dementia

If you’re thinking about relaxing in front of a roaring fire this holiday season, you may want to think again. Researchers from the UK have found a link between pollutants from fires and the onset of dementia. In fact, sitting next to a fire during the winter months is more damaging than commuting along a busy road every day for an entire year.

Even your Christmas tree can be a source of pollution

Whether you decide to go real or fake this year, your tree could be a major source of pollution in your home. Real trees may smell and look great, but they can increase the number of mold spores in your home to dangerous levels. Be sure to wash your tree and let it dry thoroughly before bringing it into the house, this will help to remove any mold that accumulated during transit.

You may also need to clean your fake tree, to remove any dust or mold that gathered when it was packed away. The same applies to your decorations, after a year in storage, they will no doubt need cleaning too.

Covid at Christmas

We can’t talk about Christmas 2020 without mentioning Covid. No one wants to celebrate the holiday season alone, but gatherings will be smaller this year and lots of us will be relying on Zoom calls to catch up with friends and family. When possible, keep your distance from people not in your household. Keep washing your hands regularly and if you are spending time with others indoors, keep your space well ventilated, to ensure a constant movement of air.

Peace of mind with Austin Air

This Christmas is going to be a challenging time for many of us. We’ve never been more focused on who and what we’re sharing the air with. If you’re concerned about keeping the air in your home clean and safe this holiday season, we can help. Our HealthMate Plus™ Air Purifier is designed to remove a wide range of pollutants, including chemicals, VOC’s, mold, allergens, gases, viruses and bacteria.

For peace of mind this holiday season, choose Austin Air.

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• Don’t let indoor allergens take the fun out of your ChristmasDecember 16, 2020
• HEPA ExplainedNovember 18, 2020

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History of HEPA

During the 1940s, in the midst of World War II the first atomic bomb was covertly developed, and so was the necessity to protect hundreds of scientists from radioactive contaminants. Along came HEPA technology; an air filter that removed 99.97 percent of particulates as small as 0.3 microns and 95 percent of those 0.1 microns and smaller.

To put that into perspective, the smallest particle visible to the naked eye is 40 microns (1 micron is 1/10,000 of a centimetre).

HEPA has since been applied to aeronautical, medical and military environments and today it is available to you. You can find it in some of the best know air purifiers (including ours), ensuring the air you and your family breathe is as clean as possible.

How it Works

True HEPA is the most effective particulate filtering material on the market, made from very fine paper (not synthetic materials). Unlike electrostatic precipitators or air filters that use negative ions, a HEPA filter can actually intercept and trap unbelievably small particulates which allow the air to remain clean without the creation of harmful byproducts. A medical grade HEPA air purifier will clean the dust, pollen and dander you can see, but more importantly, it can help eradicate the bacteria and pollutants you cannot.

You Can Trust HEPA!

To be a considered a true HEPA filter on today’s market, it must satisfy the same standards of efficiency set by the United States Department of Energy filtering 99.97 percent of particulates as small as 0.3 microns (to give that some perspective, a dot measures about 600 microns!) Unlike other types of air filtration devices, a device with a HEPA filter actually becomes more efficient the more you use it!

Breathe Easy

The particles a HEPA filter is dealing with may be microscopic but their effect can be much larger than their size suggests. Itchy watery eyes, sneezing, wheezing, respiratory diseases, snoring, allergy and asthma attacks and disturbed sleep can all be caused by environmental pollutants. Using a medical grade HEPA air filter will help remove these from your home and can be the first step towards breathing a little easier tonight.

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The post HEPA Explained appeared first on PT. Cahaya Timur Jaya Abadi.

Measures to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus

It seems that keeping a sufficient distance in combination with the right hygiene measures help to prevent the spread at close range, via large droplets with virus particles. In addition, more and more attention is being paid to the aerogenic transmission of corona, i.e. via small droplets (aerosols) that float in the air. Our vision is that the method of ventilation, combined with air purification, is of great importance. In addition, the correct air circulation (in ventilation rate and direction) is also important.

Not all products that should make a room COVID-19 proof are reliable

Many companies are currently offering possible solutions using certain techniques to remove virus particles from the air and thus make a room COVID-19 proof. Some of the claims that these companies make are not always scientifically substantiated. The purchase of such products can therefore create a false sense of security.

Our advice: always request independent evidence

Based on our mission that clean indoor air is a substantial right for everyone, we believe it is important that people are properly informed. With the help of correct information, a false sense of security can be prevented. We therefore recommend that you request an independent research report about the operation of that particular solution before purchasing the product.

So our advice is to make sure that a device has been tested and that the relevant party can provide you with adequate evidence, so that you can be sure that the claim that is made is justified!

Related article

• HEPA Air Purifiers and Coronavirus (COVID-19)February 17, 2021
• The Austin Air HealthMate + Plus 450 is the number one choice for your office or workspaceJanuary 20, 2021
• Breathe a sigh of relief in times of COVID-19?December 23, 2020
• Don’t let indoor allergens take the fun out of your ChristmasDecember 16, 2020
• HEPA ExplainedNovember 18, 2020

Share this article

The post Evidence is important to avoid a false sense of security in times of COVID-19 appeared first on PT. Cahaya Timur Jaya Abadi.