When someone with the coronavirus in their respiratory tract coughs, talks, sings, or even just breathes, infectious respiratory droplets can be expelled into the air. These droplets are tiny, predominantly in the range of 1-100 micrometers. For comparison, a human hair is about 70 micrometers in diameter.
The larger droplets fall to the ground quickly, rarely traveling farther than 6 feet from the source. The bigger problem for disease transmission is the tiniest droplets—those less than 10 micrometers in diameter—which can remain suspended in the air as aerosols for hours at a time.
Professors who study fluid dynamics and aerosols investigate how airborne particles carrying viruses spread. There is still a lot that scientists and doctors don’t know about the coronavirus and its mutations, but there are some clear strategies people can use to protect themselves.
Providing Solutions
One solution that is most overlooked is the controlling of indoor environments. Most specifically ventilation and fresh air & existing air filtering. While limiting the size of indoor gatherings helps to reduce the potential for exposure, proper filtration of air is a necessary element in diluting aerosol concentrations.
The concentration of aerosol particles is usually highest right next to the individual emitting the particles and decreases with distance from the source. However, in indoor environments, aerosol concentration levels can quickly build up, similar to how cigarette smoke accumulates within enclosed spaces. This is particularly problematic in spaces that have poor ventilation and improper filtration mechanisms.
When we created Precision Facility Group, one of our goals was to create a resource for project and facility managers in addressing workplace environments relative to the “people” aspect of working in a facility. COVID-19 was six months old at the time and our clients all had different ideas on what to do in not only having their employees on-site but how to handle back to work procedures. It seemed no one had the “perfect” answer.
How We Innovate
Collectively, we decided to provide solutions beyond those typically provided by a services organization. With shortages of PPE of most types, we reached out to our supply chain partners and were able to source gloves, masks, and gowns for immediate shipment. It took us some time, but we also found a common theme around air filtration and existing HVAC systems.
It seemed like many organizations just had not put that much thought into indoor air quality. Which led us to find products that addressed this issue. PFG’s efforts on this last item led us to represent a line of commercial air filtration systems that provide the necessary filtration of particles in the air. Helping to protect employees and visitors, in all types of environments.
If you would like to learn more, please reach out to us at info@precision-fg.com or contact us at https://www.precision-fg.com/contact-precision-facility-group/