EPA Clean Air in Buildings Challenge

The EPA created the Clean Air in Buildings Challenge in 2022 to help building owners and operators improve indoor air quality. The goal is to protect public heath, and was prompted by the concerns brought to light by the Covid-19 pandemic. The truth is that this goes well beyond just Covid-19 and the problem began well before its arrival.

Sick Building Syndrome

The term was coined in the 1980s to describe adverse health affects being recorded in people who spent a significant amount of time indoors.

The term “sick building syndrome” is used to describe situations in which building occupants experience acute health and comfort effects that appear to be linked to time spent in a building, but no specific illness or cause can be identified.

Source: EPA Indoor AIR Facts No. 4: https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2014-08/documents/sick_building_factsheet.pdf

Different approaches – How do they stack up?

We have known for a long time that the primary source of indoor air pollution are building HVAC systems. Of course, knowing what the problem is and solving it are two different things. There are a lot of products and services on the market that claim to resolve the problem, but the real solution was missing until recently.

We took a look at some of the options mentioned in the EPA report as well as other common techniques being promoted as ways to resolve this serious problem, and evaluate them specifically based specifically on their impact on the HVAC system itself, which we know is the main source of the problem.

1. Filters

HEPA and other types of filtration systems are often touted as a way to keep dust and pathogens out of HVAC systems. But anyone who has ever looked inside a system knows that it’s impossible to filter out everything. While filters may slow the progress, HVAC systems will become infected just the same. This is precisely the reason why the presence of these advanced filters has not prevented other solutions from being adopted, such as UV lights, which we will talk about next.

Analysis

While filters may slow the entry of dust and dangerous pathogens into an HVAC system, they can’t, and don’t, stop it completely

Conclusion

You should continue to use high quality filters, but recognize that it’s not a complete solution.

2. Upper-Room Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI)

Every discussion of indoor air quality, including the EPA Challenge, inevitably include UV lights. One such system is known as Upper-Room Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI). In simple terms, the invisible light is able to kill viral, bacterial, and fungal organisms in the air, reducing the risk of contagion to people in the room. This is accomplished near the ceiling of a closed, poorly ventilated room in order to avoid contact with people. But does it work? While it may be effective at reducing the presence of active agents in the air, it ignores the source of those agents. So the Air Conditioner continues to be a fertile ground for proliferation which blows pathogens into the air, some of which will be killed by the light aimed across the ceiling.

Analysis

This system can help clean the air, but doesn’t address the source of the problem. The AC will continue to pump our contaminated air in the hopes that the UV systems cleans it.

Conclusion

If your goal is to get to the source of the problem, this type of system will have no impact on the health and efficiency of your AC system.

3. Chemicals

The use of chemical detergents has been the go-to method for cleaning Air Conditioning systems for as long as any of us can remember. Many people still recommend their use despite all the research showing how harmful they are to the technicial, the occupants of the room, and the environment.

Analysis

Chemicals may temporarily reduce the bacterial load, and improve the visible appearance of AC coils, but no amount of rinsing will remove everything left behind. This creates a biofilm that is a perfect place for pathogens to proliferate, leaving you worse off than you were before.

Conclusion

If a maintenance technical wants to use chemicals on your system, tell him you’re not interested.

4. AIRsana

The patent dual-flow system has been proven to restore AC systems to a fully sanitized state. Thermal shock ensures that all mold, bacteria, and virus are neutralized even in hard to reach parts of the system, while the simultaneous suction ensures that nothing is left behind.

Analysis

Laboratory testing has consistently shown that an AIRsana sanitization achieves the best results.

Conclusion

AIRsana is the only solution to truly sanitize air conditioning systems and should be used regularly to ensure the health and energy efficiency of the system.