Correspondence with subscribers on terrorist attack protection

by Duane O. and David Barnaby

From: Duane O.
Subject: IQAir Healthpro Plus
I was looking at your IQAir Healthpro Plus for the purpose of a safe room in the event of a terrorist attack. First, I would like to know specifically what kind of blower motor this system uses. Also, has this system actually been tested to *create* and *sustain* a positive pressure safe room? How long can the blower motor be expected to hold up before it burns out (if it would burn out). Finally, has this system or any other IQAir purifier been tested for toxins, bacteria, viruses and the like which are most likely be used for terrorism? I know, I sound a little bit like a nut case, but I have a wonderful family to protect. I would highly appreciate your response.
Thank you, Duane O.

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Hi Duane,

The IQAir uses a 700 CFM rated German engineered high performance fan. It is a centrifugal, backward curved fan and turns at 2950 rpm. Each fan is individually balanced and uses steel ball bearings which will give you reliable quality performance for many years.

David,
You wrote, "While a biological threat appears more realistic than a chemical one, IQAir is working on an add-on for all their IQAir systems which also addresses this aspect. In case of an emergency this allows existing and new users to convert their IQAir units into emergency ABC units." Do you know how much this will cost? Also, you mentioned radioactive materials released into the air. I assume the HEPA filters would stop those particles. Is that correct? Again, I appreciate your response. Thank you, Duane

The IQAir will create and sustain a positive pressure because both the unit and the intake or outflow wall kit are airtight so no leakage will occur. This is one of the reasons the inflow and outflow kits are so expensive. Each of the kits consists of the necessary parts to insure an airtight fit.

In a terrorist attack there will be three concerns. The first would be airborne particulates like bacteria, germs, viruses, etc. which could be very harmful if inhaled. These would range in size from as large as 10 microns to as small as 0.01 of a micron in size. The IQAir Healthpro Hyper HEPA performance will be at least 99.99% efficient at removing particulates 0.3 of a micron and larger and at least 99.5% on particulates 0.16 of a micron and smaller down to 0.01 of a micron. While IQAir units have not been specifically designed for filtration of ABC(airborne biological contaminants) related pollutants, but IQAir units are the most efficient air cleaners available in their class (high-end room air cleaners).IQAir does not follow or certify their air cleaners to any military specifications, because these specifications are not designed for room air cleaning devices, but for gas masks and filters of much different size and different air flow conditions. IQAir does offer their HealthPro series with EN1822 certified class H12/13filters.

EN1822 is the world's most current and toughest test for HEPA filters. The EN1822 certification has determined the HealthPro series HEPA filters up to speed 3, a minimum of 99.95% of those particles for which the filter is determined to offer the least filtration efficiency - a worst case test ( which is 0.16 of a micron). At the highest air flow setting, the HealthPro series HEPA filter was determined to filter at least 99.5% of the most penetrating particles. This test is a much tougher test than the dated DOP test. In addition, each IQAir HealthPro series air cleaner as a whole is individually tested at the Swiss factory to achieve an overall efficiency of over 99.97% at 0.3 microns. As a test aerosol, normal room air is used for this test, because DOP is a potentially health hazard and normal room air contains plenty of particles in the 0.3 to 0.5 micron size range, (typically in the order of one million per cubic foot).

The second concern would be toxic gases and chemical which would require a sophisticated activated carbon to be able to adsorb a large concentration of the gas. In this case, you would need a special gas filter to work in conjunction with the IQAir Healthpro unit.

The use of an air filtration system with over pressure is certainly the best option to achieve a controlled clean environment. While a biological threat appears more realistic than a chemical one, IQAir is working on an add-on for all their IQAir systems, which also addresses this aspect. In case of an emergency, this allows existing and new users to convert their IQAir units into emergency ABC units. They are currently working with the Swiss army on the design of this set-up and will have an upgrade-product announcement within a few weeks. The gas phase filter in the HealthPro Plus is designed for optimum performance in reducing typical gaseous compounds in a household or office environment. IQAir is currently designing a specific gas phase filter, which is optimized for "war gas" applications. The filter can, in case of an emergency be used by IQAir owners to optimize the performance of IQAir systems under such conditions. The filter is not recommended for everyday use, due to environmental concerns. IQAir is currently working with the Swiss Army Laboratories on such a filter and hopes to offer the IQAir "ABC Emergency Upgrade Kit" by April 2003.We will keep our customers updated as to the exact date of availability.

The third concern would be in the case of a nuclear type device used which would result in radioactive materials being released into the air, which would present an entirely different contamination to the air.

Please feel free to contact me to discuss any of the products we offer from our website.

Sincerely,
Dave Barnaby

Hi Duane,

I've heard back from IQAir and they told me the radioactive threat from a dirty bomb attack (which is according to experts the most likely nuclear attack) would be mainly from radioactively contaminated dust particles. These particles can travel half around the world, as is known from the radioactive fallout from atomic bombs or accidents in nuclear power plants. Therefore, an air cleaner like the IQAir Healthpro and Healthpro Plus with the Hyper HEPA performing HEPA filter along with the pre-filter will be able to filter those particulates.

The gas filter would be to be no more than twice as expensive as a standard V5-Cell filter. So, the price would be in the area of $180.00.
Please feel free to contact me to discuss any of the products we offer from our website.

Sincerely,
Dave Barnaby

First Published: early April 2003
Updated: September 2003

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