Typically used in manufacturing or scientific research environments, a clean room is a controlled environment that has a low level of pollutants such as dust, airborne microbes, aerosol particles and chemical vapors in the air. To be exact, a clean room has a controlled level of contamination that is specified by the number of particles per cubic meter at a specified particle size.

A clean room is any given contained space where provisions are made to reduce particulate contamination and control other environmental parameters such as temperature, humidity and pressure. The key component is the high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter that is used to trap particles that are 0.3 micron and larger in size.

Clean rooms are used in practically every industry where small particles can adversely affect the manufacturing process, such as in pharmaceuticals, biotech, medical devices and life sciences, as well as critical process manufacturing common in aerospace, optics and energy industries.

REDUCING ODORS USING NEEDLEPOINT BIPOLAR IONIZATION TECHNOLOGY

For one manufacturer operating under such standards, noxious odors became an issue for employees working in clean rooms and adjoining spaces that shared the same air handling system. When a new chemical introduced into the manufacturing process was creating unwanted odor, the issue needed to be contained or eliminated to improve the indoor air quality and working conditions for the employees and maintain the company’s clean room standards.

The GPS-iBAR^® needlepoint bipolar ionization air purification system was installed in the air handling system that treats the clean room’s air. The air purification system was able to target and reduce pathogens and odors within just 24 hours of installation. Needlepoint bipolar ionization (NPBI^®) technology breaks down odors into basic, harmless compounds, leaving indoor air smelling fresh and free of odor-causing volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Additionally, the annual clean room certification process revealed a drastic reduction in total particle count within the air thanks to the GPS-iBAR system — the lowest the manufacturer had experienced in 10 years.

To learn more about how NPBI can help with achieving and maintaining clean rooms

Dealing with an existing ultraviolet (UV) light system that was unable to control these odors and keep the coils within the system clean to prevent future biofilm and microorganism buildup, the team turned to Global Plasma Solutions to help tackle their air purification needs. They installed the GPS-iMOD^® needlepoint bipolar ionization (NPBI^®) air purification system to reduce airborne particulates, odors and pathogens while lowering energy consumption and the facility’s carbon footprint.

The air purification system is an affordable, easy-to-install addition to a building’s existing HVAC system. NPBI technology breaks down odors into basic, harmless compounds, leaving indoor air smelling fresh and free of odor-causing volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

In the case of Boston Children’s Hospital, diesel fumes and odors from the nearby construction site were no match for the ionization system. Additionally, the air purification technology was able to entirely clean the coils within 48 hours and keep them free of biofilm. This, in turn, generated energy savings and eliminated the need for expensive improvements in the future.

Most important, unlike many other solutions on the market, GPS NPBI technology is also safe for occupied spaces. This means patients and staff at the hospital can focus on the important work at hand.