Do you know the levels of pollutants that are in your home, office, or workspace? When Environment Canada issues an air quality warning, we can easily search online and find the corresponding AQI (Air Quality Index) number. The air quality can shift from good to hazardous, posing a significant health risk. The longer you are exposed, the higher the risk to your health. Air quality warnings have greatly increased for Toronto, Vancouver, Winnipeg, Calgary, and Montreal over the past few years. This has been the case mostly due to increased wildfire smoke in summer, but also from industrial pollution and PM2.5 from traffic. People often think they are safe indoors, but indoor air can often be significantly more polluted than outdoor air, posing risks from allergens, dust, chemicals, harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other pollutants.
Understanding the Air You Breathe: Indoor Air Quality
Indoor air quality (IAQ) is measured by the level of threat to your health posed by contaminants such as combustion by-products like carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and particulate matter (PM). Sources of these contaminants are: furnaces and cooking activities, fine dust, vehicle exhaust in parking or loading areas, and commercial or industrial activities. Contaminants can be tracked in from outside on shoes and other clothing and can easily infiltrate indoor commercial buildings and homes. If there are leaks in insulation or if doors and windows are left open during periods of high outdoor pollution, polluted air can enter and remain in buildings and homes. Harmful pollutants can also be generated from mould spores, building materials, wood products, and cleaning products. Finally, viruses and airbourne contaminants can spread indoors if proper ventilation and air filtration are not utilized.
Why IAQ Matters: The Impact on Health and Productivity
Short-term effects of poor IAQ
Short-term effects can include eye irritation, breathing irritation, congestion, fatigue, headaches, dizziness, and nausea. Additionally, it can worsen existing respiratory conditions like asthma and trigger new ones.
Long-term effects of poor IAQ
Long-term effects can be much more serious and include: respiratory issues such as COPD in non-smokers and asthma, as well as cardiovascular disease, stroke, and cancer. PM1 and PM2.5 can penetrate deep into the bloodstream and cause these serious illnesses. People with preexisting conditions or pregnant women and children are especially vulnerable, but poor IAQ affects everyone. No one is immune to its effects.
For commercial spaces and public buildings, poor IAQ can reduce focus and has been correlated with increased sick days and higher operating costs for businesses. High levels of PM2.5, VOCs, or CO2 can affect attention, memory, and decision-making. In an air quality study, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences reported, “In healthy adults, exposure to short-term indoor and outdoor ozone was linked to increased blood platelets, a risk factor for clotting, and increased blood pressure.”
Your Most Important Line of Defence: The HVAC System & Air Filters
The primary function of air filtration is to remove harmful particles and pollutants from the air, thereby improving air quality for the health and safety of building users, as well as protecting processes and equipment.
Your home or workplace HVAC system is the most crucial line of defence against harmful pollutants that can penetrate deeply into your lungs and cardiovascular system. Air filters, especially premium air filters, can do a great job in improving IAQ and improving the health of building occupants. This is important because Canadians spend, on average, over 90% of their time indoors.
What is a MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating?
A MERV rating was established by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, better known in the HVAC industry as “ASHRAE.” ASHRAE is an organization of HVAC professionals with over 50,000 members in more than 130 countries, working to establish standards and best practices for HVAC-related issues, such as indoor air quality and air filtration. ASHRAE standards are often adopted within building codes.
ASHRAE rates air filters according to their particle capture efficiency level. The ratings range from MERV 1, which provides very little particle capture efficiency, to MERV 16, which offers excellent particle capture efficiency for everything from PM1 and PM2.5 to airborne viruses. Dust, pollen, pet dander, mould spores, PM1 and PM2.5, and bacteria can all be captured by air filters rated MERV 13 or higher. The higher the MERV rating of the filter, the more contaminants it will capture.
Camfil’s General Philosophy on MERV Ratings
Camfil believes that MERV ratings, as listed on the surface or printed on the box of many air filter manufacturers, can be misleading. For example, did you know that a filter labelled “MERV 13” on the box may only test as a MERV 8 after the temporary electrostatic charge has dissipated? This is a crucial consideration when purchasing air filters. If you are trying to protect patients or building occupants with a MERV 8 filter, it will have little effect, as you will not get anywhere near the filtration levels of a true MERV 13 or a MERV 13A. The “A” rating is based on ASHRAE Standard 52.2 (ashrae.org). MERV-A Rating (Appendix J): ASHRAE 52.2 includes an optional Appendix J for testing filters with a MERV A rating. This additional test addresses the issue of some “electrostatically charged” filters whose efficiency can drop significantly over time as the charge dissipates.
The MERV-A test measures the filter’s performance after the electrostatic charge has been neutralized, providing a more accurate and reliable rating. This is a crucial improvement for consumers who want to know how a filter will perform throughout its entire service life, not just when it is new. Camfil states, “what’s on the box (i.e. its MERV rating) is in the box” (meaning it’s what you will actually get).
Key MERV Ratings
MERV 8A
Camfil views MERV 8 to be foundational in terms of air filtration. Air filters like the 30/30 are a significant upgrade from run-of-the-mill panel filters. A Camfil MERV 8A filter can be used as a prefilter to remove larger particles, keeping the final filter clean and extending its lifespan. They work well for outside air intakes or in warehouses, electrical control rooms, or storage spaces — i.e., non-critical areas — where people do not spend a lot of time.
MERV ratings chart
MERV 13A: a great starting point for quality air filtration
MERV 13A is the minimum efficiency recommended by ASHRAE for improving indoor air quality in occupied buildings. A MERV 13A filter will remove damaging fine particles, including airborne viruses, and make a building much safer for its occupants. It has an efficiency of equal to or greater than 85% capture of particles between 1.0 and 2.0 microns.
MERV 13A filters are best suited for commercial and public buildings, such as hotels, conference centers, offices, and schools, and provide a baseline level of protection for some healthcare settings, including outpatient clinics.
It’s essential to note that a filter rated at MERV 13 but not properly tested using ASHRAE 52.2 Appendix J testing may only achieve the performance of a MERV 8 filter shortly after installation.
MERV 14 and Higher
Filters rated at MERV 14A and higher are recommended for critical applications, such as in hospitals, to prevent the spread of bacteria and airborne infectious diseases. They can also be used in pharmaceutical research and development centres.
MERV 16
MERV 16 filters can be used as prefilters for HEPA filters in highly sensitive areas such as cleanrooms. They can also be used as final filters for demanding applications in industrial, commercial, and medical settings to protect products against contamination or prevent the spread of airborne bacteria or viruses. MERV 16 filters greatly improve indoor air quality. It has an efficiency of equal to or greater than 95% capture of particles between 0.3 and 1.0 microns.
Whether your filter is a MERV 8 or a MERV 16, it is crucial to ensure that the number is followed by an ‘A’ and that it has been properly tested.
It is essential to note that airflow is a crucial aspect of air filtration. If your HEPA filter does not provide enough airflow, your facility will not be adequately protected. Test the airflow before making a purchase. Consult an air filter expert from Camfil to determine what you can expect in terms of airflow and capture efficiency in real-world conditions.
HEPA Filters
Low MERV-rated filters primarily protect HVAC systems, not people. While MERV 13A+ filters provide decent protection for human health, HEPA filters provide the ultimate protection. High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters capture a minimum of 99.97% of airbourne particles 0.3 microns in size.
HEPA filters are primarily used in medical and pharmaceutical facilities, as well as in clean rooms and certain food and beverage production facilities.
Molecular filters
Molecular filters, such as activated carbon filters, use a process called adsorption to remove gaseous pollutants, including those that cause odours, irritants, and toxic and corrosive gases, from the air. These filters are effective at capturing molecules that are much smaller than those that can be removed by HEPA and ULPA filters. Molecular filters work by providing a large surface area where gas molecules adhere to the material, such as alumina or activated carbon.
Commercial IAQ: Specific Considerations for Businesses
The Challenge of High Occupancy Buildings
High-occupancy buildings have a higher level of CO2 because of the large number of people in confined spaces. PM, VOCs, and other pollutants can also enter buildings and circulate in them. This can impact mental acuity, causing headaches and fatigue. When ventilation can’t keep up with the amount of people bringing in contaminants and airbourne pollutants, more robust filtration is essential. If the air filters are poor, bad air will recirculate.
For high-occupancy buildings, it is best to use a dual system, such as a MERV 13A particulate filter and a molecular filter, to remove both harmful gases and particulates. This will protect staff and customers in commercial buildings. A good option is Camfil’s CityCarb system, which combines a particulate filter and a molecular filter.
Regulations and Standards: Some commercial buildings must adhere to standards and building codes that stipulate acceptable IAQ levels. To earn points from BOMA, LEED, and WELL for your commercial space, or to comply with building codes and prevent liability, or to achieve your sustainability goals, consult with an air filter expert from Camfil.
Residential Buildings and Homes
Camfil recommends using the highest MERV-rated filter possible that maintains proper airflow in your building or home. A MERV 13A filter is the minimum recommended rating. This will adequately capture dust, allergens, particulate matter, and mould spores.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Better Indoor Air Quality
Assess Your Needs: Some buildings have specific needs, such as addressing odours from nearby industrial activities or pollution from high-traffic areas. Others may have trouble with internally generated odours in lobbies, corridors, and hallways of buildings. Still others, such as medical or pharmaceutical facilities, have much greater filtration needs. It is crucial to find the right fit for your building.
Choose the Right Solution: In many cases, selecting the right clean air solution requires consultation. There are lookalike plans from other facilities or enterprises that may be suitable for your business or residential building. Air filtration experts can provide valuable, complementary assessments for your business, leveraging their extensive experience.
Maintenance is Key: Regular maintenance of your air filtration system, along with performing changeouts at the right time, can help maintain good air quality and protect your system from premature wear and tear, as well as the need for premature hardware replacement.
Camfil recommends changing air filters based on measured pressure drop, rather than adhering to a fixed schedule such as every three months, or relying solely on visual inspection.
To achieve optimal energy savings with a VFD system, filters should be replaced when the pressure drop reaches twice the initial pressure drop. Some Camfil air filters can last up to one year or even five years; changing filters too early requires extra labour, and filter costs will be too high. Also, when filter life is extended, less waste is created, benefiting the environment.
Training for building maintenance crews is recommended. Such training can help identify gaps or holes in HVAC systems and educate staff on when to change filters, how to monitor IAQ, and how to achieve better air quality.
Get an indoor air quality monitor: Using an IAQ monitor can help you determine the quality of your air filtration system and can also help you set a schedule for air filter changeouts. Regular monitoring and taking notes at different intervals can help you establish what to expect from your filter’s life. Commercial and residential buildings can be vastly different. Even one type of residence or commercial establishment can be quite different in terms of needs, even though it’s the same type of building, depending on the activity, occupancy levels, etc. Lastly, it is essential to purchase a monitor that is reliable, properly tested, and made by a reputable manufacturer.
Retrofitting your current HVAC system: Your current system may be able to handle a higher MERV-rated air filter. For example, if you are currently using a MERV 8 filter, you could switch to a MERV 13A filter without affecting airflow. Also, you can use an air filter with more media. For example, switching from a 1-inch filter to a 4-inch filter will result in a significantly longer filter life and increased dust-holding capacity. It is essential to verify the specifications of your system to ensure it can accommodate a higher MERV rating and/or thicker media.
Customization: Camfil can manufacture customized air filters in sizes to fit your system and offers different types of media, such as fibreglass, activated carbon, coal-based carbon, and impregnated activated carbon, to address specific contaminant types, including harmful gases, odours, and particulate matter.
Breathe easy with great indoor air quality
Selecting the right air filter is crucial for removing harmful contaminants and achieving good indoor air quality, which helps you breathe easily and live a healthier life. High-quality air filters are reliable at delivering clean air in both commercial and residential settings. Often, a higher-quality filter will last significantly longer than a cheaper one. This not only provides clean indoor air, but it may also save you money in the long run.
For more information on Camfil’s clean air solutions, contact us, and we will provide all the advice you need to improve your air filtration system and get the best IAQ.
Camfil has air filtration experts who can help you with improving your indoor air quality (IAQ) with expertise in addressing regional challenges and operational needs. Whether you seek to control hazardous emissions or improve the IAQ in your workplace, Camfil can help. To find a local rep, use this contact form, and someone will reach out to you. Contact form
About Camfil Canada Clean Air Solutions
For more than 60 years, Camfil has been helping people breathe cleaner air. As a leading manufacturer of premium clean air solutions, we provide commercial and industrial systems for air filtration and air pollution control that enhance worker and equipment productivity, reduce energy consumption, and benefit both human health and the environment.
Media Contact:
Phillip Ilijevski
Camfil Canada Inc.