Air Cleaning Devices for Buildings (with Central Air-Conditioning System) Air cleaning devices can be fitted to regulate particulate levels in buildings with central air conditioning systems during a prolonged smoke haze period. The devices include electrostatic precipitators and media filters. Electrostatic precipitators operate by electrically charging dust particles as they pass a set of electrodes. The charged particles are subsequently collected by charged collector plates (with an opposite charge) downstream of the charging electrodes. They have minimal effect on airflow. Media Filters are mats of fine fibres that are oriented perpendicular to the direction of airflow to intercept and trap particulate. They are available in a wide range of capture efficiencies. For smoke haze, filters manufactured for more efficient removal of fine particulate should be used. The conventional medium to high efficiency media filters that can trap fine particulate are typically dense and may hinder air flow if the fans are not designed to match them.

There is another type of medium efficiency filter that uses electrostatically charged fibres to attract and retain fine particles. These filters are less dense and therefore exert a lower resistance to air flow. The capital and operating costs vary depending on the particular type of air cleaning devices selected and the design of the air-conditioning system. Based on NEA's assessment, the overall annual cost ranges from $2,000 to $10,000 for a floor area of 1,300 sqm. The costs are for an assumed haze period of three months per year. The system suppliers will be able to provide buyers with the actual costs of each option. For more information, please view the List of Suppliers of Air Cleaning Devices for Buildings. Information from US-EPA webpage on Residential Air Cleaning Devices Information from American Lung Association webpage on Indoor Air Quality Last Updated on 23 November 2015Why does the haze looks denser at night? Is the current 3-hour PSI reading in Singapore sufficient?

Is the N95 mask reallly useful? These and more were some of the questions tackled by Dr Erik Velasco, an air quality expert at CENSAM. With more than 15 years of air quality research under his belt, Dr Velasco has been approached by various media to give his views on the haze situation in Singapore and the region. The haze has plagued Singapore as far back as 40 years ago, in 1972. This year, air quality reached hazardous levels in late September, which resulted in the unprecedented closure of all primary and secondary schools on 25 Sep 2015. Check out Dr Velasco's interview on : 1. Channel NewsAsia - Why the haze looks denser at night 2. TODAY - Air pollution from daily sources 'also a health risk' 3. The New Paper/ AsiaOne -Q&A to clear the air about haze 4. Lianhe Zaobao (see translation below) - Experts suggest hourly PSI announcement for timely response, and Q&A on how you should cope with the haze. Lianhe Zaobao, 16 Sep 2015 Experts Suggest Hourly PSI Announcements for Timely Response

SINGAPORE — SMART research scientist Dr Erik Velasco said that since the National Environment Agency collects the concentrations of the six major pollutants each hour, they should announce the PSI hourly, so that government bodies, schools and the public can get information faster. Experts said NEA should also push out health advisories to let the public quickly decide to implement advanced haze advisory plans, and allow the government to request universities and offices to close if necessary.honeywell air purifier model 16200 manual Dr Velasco was speaking to reporters yesterday at a Nanyang Polytechnic seminar on the “Singapore Perspective on Urban Air Quality and Public Health”.buy dax air cleaner detergent Mr Velasco said that based on studies on air quality in Mexico, America and Singapore in the last fifteen years, as Singapore seems unable to prevent the haze, it should develop a good haze emergency plan, which includes announcing timely air quality data.honeywell - enviracaire 99.97 hepa air purifier

He noted that in June 2014, after experiencing strong haze, NEA finally changed the announcements, but this was inadequate. NEA last year adjusted the PSI measurement previously used for 23 years. Since May, it has included small PM2.5 pollutant concentration in the calculation of the PSI. The PSI is thus calculated from six pollutants. NEA also replaced PM10 with PM2.5 as the important measure, since the primary component of the haze in the region is particulate matter. NEA also began hourly announcements of the previous hour’s PM2.5 pollutant concentration. This indicates the concentration of small particles in the air smaller or equal to 2.5 micrometres, as these small particles are believed to be the most harmful. Dr Velasco noted that since NEA already collects the concentrations of six major pollutants each hour, it should announce hourly PSI measurements, so that government bodies, schools and the public can respond in a timely way. “For example, on 14 Sep 2015 at 8PM, the PM2.5 hourly reading was as high as 341 micrograms.

At this level, schools should be closed and roads should have less cars. Even factories and petrol stations should be closed. However, the NEA only announced the 3-hour PSI, and the Ministry of Health’s advisory is based on the 24-hour PSI which does not take seriously the short-term harm of such haze exposure on people,” he said. He said that hourly PM2.5 readings at 20-40 micrograms represent normal pollution circumstances. Anything above 50 is adverse. He suggested that once PM2.5 readings go above 100, people should consider wearing face masks outside, and avoid the outdoors when it is above 150. The NEA website said that the PM2.5 hourly readings may have large fluctuations and be affected by the weather, thus the public can only use the number to decide on immediate plans. During a haze situation, the NEA will use the 24-hour PSI to propose health advisories, because this number better reflects how much a person has been exposed to PM2.5 particles, and studies on particulate matter on human health all use the 24-hour PSI measurement.