Odor control in any facility can be difficult to manage without air filters or designed to filter and remove the contaminants/gases causing the odor issue. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), particulate matter, and moisture are often the most common sources of indoor odors in a commercial or industrial setting.
With proper ventilation and source control, commercial air filters and/or industrial air filters are designed to remove both particulate matter and gases are necessary for complete (or maximum) odor control in your facility. These must, of course, be combined with an effective air filtration system.
Volatile Organic Compounds
VOCs are gases in the air that are emitted from certain solids or liquids (i.e., glues, cleaning products, air fresheners, etc.). Benzene, perchloroethylene, methylene chloride, and formaldehyde are among the most common indoor VOCs found in medical, commercial and industrial manufacturing facilities. Typical indoor VOC sources found in commercial, industrial and medical facilities include:
• cleaning products
• paint
• pesticides
• manufactured wood
• machinery, including copy machines, and
• dry-cleaned products
• carpeting
• upholstery
Even long after the products have been removed from your facility’s environment, high VOC concentrations can still linger in the air. air filters designed to capture and remove these gases from the air can help mitigate any health issues or odors associated with VOCs.
Other Odor Sources
Smoke from cigarettes or previous fire damage can also be removed from the air with industrial air filters or a commercial air filter designed to capture this type of contaminant. Since smoke is a combination of particulate matter, gases, and liquids, a gas phase air filter designed to eliminate both gaseous air contaminants, particulate matter in the air, and moisture odors is often necessary for complete odor control.
Moisture from flooding or other sources can also be a source of indoor air odors. Moisture can combine with other sources to produce harmful or irritating gases with offensive smells. Sometimes, effective air filtration is not enough to remove these types of odors. Professionals who remediate water damage, mold, and mildew should address this issue before relying solely on just air filter to remove these odors.
Gas Phase Air Filters
Standalone air cleaners and traditional HVAC systems typically contain filters that do not remove gas phase air contaminants. To remove both particulate matter and gases from the air, a gas phase air filter must be employed.
Most gas phase air filters are designed to capture gaseous contaminants as well as particulate matter and other odor-causing molecules through a two-stage air filtration system. Using high efficiency filtration media in combination with activated carbon facilitates the removal of particulates and gaseous contaminants.
Conclusion
Controlling indoor odors requires a combination of proper ventilation, source control, and a gas phase air filtration system. Gas phase air filters provided by Advanced Filtration Concepts, Inc. (AFC) are specially designed to remove odors from a variety of sources, including VOC’s, particulate matter, and odor molecules arising from moisture issues.
For more information about gas phase air filtration contact Advanced Filtration Concepts, Inc. online. Or, call us, at 1-323-832-8316.
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