Air Filtration Systems offers all services to resolve or control Airborne Infectious Diseases (AID) that include Flu viruses like H1N1, Tuberculosis (TB) or other AID cases.

Our experience in hospital and many other installations will help you to get the best control medoths for your application and to determine the most cost effective solutions for your particular situation. Upon installation, Air Filtration Systems will provide start up assistance to you and your staff to ensure the equipment is functioning properly, meeting your needs and you staff is comfortable with operating it.

Most Recent Alert - H1N1

Saturday October 24th President Obama signed an Emergency Declaration for the H1N1 flu.  Part of what this declaration does is allow a means for health care facilities to bypass normal protocol in treating patients.  This means that hospitals dealing with a high number of H1N1 cases can use air filtration systems or products to help control the spread of H1N1.

Swine Flu Virus Distance of Travel:

                                    Large Particle         Droplet Nuclei

Category           # Shed  Distance Traveled   Distance Traveled

Cough               3,000+     1-5 feet                160+ feet

Sneezing            3,000+     8-15 feet              160+ feet

Breathing                          Nose                    None

Mouth                Varies       1-3 feet                160+ feet

Talking/Singing   1,000+     1-3 feet                160+ feet

Diarrhea*           20,000+   5+ feet                 160+ feet

(*as a result of toilet water aerosolization)

President Obama’s Declaration – from a summary
“…permits the Secretary of Health and Human Services to waive certain regulatory requirements for healthcare facilities in response to emergencies”
“Examples of use of waivers:  Hospitals request to set up an alternative screening location for patients away from the hospital’s main campus”...
URL: http://www.flu.gov/professional/federal/h1n1emergency10242009.html


ASHRAE Position Paper
“Droplet nuclei particles may be transported through ventilation systems, as has been documented for tuberculosis, Q-fever, and measles (Li et al., 2007). If influenza transmission occurs not only through direct contact or large droplets, as is the long-standing public health tradition, but also through the airborne route, as newer data suggest, HVAC systems may contribute far more both to transmission of disease and, potentially, to reduction of transmission risk.”
URL: http://www.ashrae.org/docLib/20090901_AirborneInfexDiseasesPDFrev.pdf



Is HEPA filtration required to control viruses?

Please note filtration is REQUIRED to be sealed!

Are there any dangers in our staff replacing air filters that may have been exposed to H1N1?

Yes, but this is also a general Yes when it comes to filtration. What you need to consider when it comes to filtration is we remove particles at all sizes. The above chart shows a MERV 13 removing 46% of the H1N1 virus so you do have a chance of exposure. When your staff is replacing air filters or even working on airflow equipment they should wear protective clothing or equipment. I know of a person who had contracted blood disease that almost killed him in 24 hours replacing air filters. (see page 8 in the above ASHRAE Paper, foot note)

Side Note from Mack Barnhardt

There is not a complete system that does it all. Each building or application in a building may require a personal touch to make the air filtration system effective.

To control Airborne Infectious Diseases in your building please contact us for a initial free consultation.

AFScorp Team