HEPA, Carbon and Ultraviolet Air Purifier Technology - An Interview About Clarifier
Dr. Speiser answers questions about air purifier features
by Mercia Tapping and Dr. Roy M. Speiser, President of CWR, Environmental Products, Inc.
Editor's
Note: The Clarifier is one of the best air purifiers that we sell
on site. We get lots of questions about ultraviolet so I thought
I would ask the people over at CARE to explain more in detail.
INFO
LINKS
Air
Purifiers Overview - view all air purifiers
sold by AllergyBuyersClub.com
Air
Purifiers Comparison Chart - a comparison with pluses and minuses
of all the best air purifiers
Q. Dr. Speiser, I see one of the unique features about
the Clarifier air purifier is the ultraviolet light, can you explain,
why you have chosen to include ultraviolet in your air purification
system?
A. Due to an increased exposure of the public to disease
causing bacteria and viruses, witness spinal meningitis in Ohio,
and an upsurge in reported cases of bronchitis, pneumonia, and respiratory
infections, ultraviolet when used properly is one of the more only
effective technologies to reduce and control airborne pathogens
in hospitals. It will effectively control the spread of infectious
diseases at home and in the workplace. Viruses are too small to
be trapped by HEPA filters. UV can easily destroy viruses, so it
is one of the only means of eliminating viruses.
Q. Ozone is generally associated
with ultraviolet lights, since ozone is known to destroy lung tissue,
why are you using ultraviolet?
A. We do not use produce ozone with our ultraviolet lamps, because
we use special quartz glass to prevent ozone leakage.
Q. Does the air get enough exposure
to the ultraviolet to be effective?
A. Yes. There is sufficient contact time due to the air moving through
the Clarifier with a random mix of air in the ultraviolet chamber,
plus exposure to reflective light there is more than enough germicidal
dosage to deactivate the DNA of bacteria and viruses. Our units
are engineered to produce a high enough UV dosage (light intensity
and exposure time) to destroy airborne pathogens.
Q. Does the ultraviolet serve any
other purpose?
A. The ultraviolet used in the Clarifier air purifier primarily
serves as a disinfectant technology to reduce and eliminate bacteria
and viruses. Ultra violet is also used in water filtration as a
disinfectant technology and also to reduce chlorine. The ultraviolet
in the Clarifier is also constantly bathing the HEPA filter to prevent
bacteria build up and breakthrough. This safety feature is not available
in any other system.
Q. Are any ultraviolet rays given
off that may cause eye or any other damage from exposure?
A. Absolutely not. The sealed chamber and "shield plate"
does not allow any direct exposure of ultraviolet to the eyes.
UV is totally contained within the unit so no direct exposure is
permitted.
Q. I noticed you now have a 2 part
Carbon & HEPA drum system in the air purifier. Why have you
done this?
A. We have recently upgraded the HEPA to laboratory tested hospital
grade True HEPA. Also, because many people are chemically and environmentally
sensitive, they are more sensitive to smaller concentrations of
chemicals. Therefore, they have to change the carbon more frequently,
and as a practical and cost saving measure you can now change the
carbon drum independently of the HEPA. HEPA can last up to three
times longer than the carbon.
Q. I have heard that the Clarifier
may be a little noisier than other units; do you have an explanation
for this?
A. Actually it is not noisier and this was proven with laboratory
testing. What you do hear is more air movement because with the
patented "Top Flow" discharge , the air speed out of the
unit helps to ensure total room air cleaning, with more air changes
per hour you are getting more air circulating in the room.
Q. Can you tell me why you feel your
air purifier is more effective than most others?
A. Primarily we used a unique combination of technologies and unique
patented features. The "Top Flow" discharge is a unique
development of the Clarifier air purifier because of the air being
discharged from the top of the unit at a 15° angle it sets up
an airflow pattern that is twice as effective in changing air than
any other air purifier. Top flow discharge allows for a more efficient
air flow pattern, allowing the entire room to be cleaned. (not just
a portion of the room, like other units). You can have the best
technology in the world, but unless the entire room is cleaned,
the overall effectiveness is minimized. The addition of the substantial
UV technology with carbon and HEPA filtration is a unique feature
of the Clarifier. No other air purifier has this combination; therefore,
we can remove a wider range of indoor air contaminants more effectively
than any other unit.
