On Thursday, June 30th 2016, the ISIAQ Wood Smoke Symposium took place at the RIVM in The Bilt. During the symposium, parties such as the RIVM, TNO, the Public Health Service Groningen and VFA Solutions presented information on the composition of wood smoke, wood smoke emissions and the removal of wood smoke from the air.
Literature reserach RIVM
Literature research performed by the RIVM shows wood smoke is an air quality problem that affects a significant group in the Netherlands. The RIVM has concluded 10-12% of the Dutch population had wood smoke complaints. Wood smoke problems can range from unpleasant odours to even respiratory problems.
Wood smoke measurements VFA Solutions
During the symposium, VFA Solutions presented results from practical measurements with wood smoke. The results show wood smoke mainly consists out of ultrafine particulates and only 0.15% of wood smoke consists out of particles which are bigger than PM1. Commercial particle meters/sensors have limited capacilties and hence often measure only PM10 and PM2.5. However, this practical research shows these parameters provide a distorted view of the air quality. When one only looks at the PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations, the concentrations show the air quality is below the WHO standards. However, the ultrafine particle concentration shows that the measured wood smoke concentration (measured outdoor 10 meters from a fire pit) transcends the smog category and even matches the ultrafine particle concentration measured at a take-off lane at LAX airport.
Air purification with HRU
The smaller the particles in the air, the easier they are inhaled. Ultrafine particles are so small, they easily enter your lungs and your bloodstream and are hereby transported throughout the body. Avoiding odour nuisance and the inhalation of ultrafine particles originating from wood smoke and other sources such as traffic and industry, can be realised in various ways. When a house is equipped with a ventilation system/HRU, the system can be expanded with an air cleaner, which is placed directly behind the HRU. This allows the air that enters the home through the ventilation system to be cleaned, before being distributed throughout the home. VFA Solutions offers the ASPRA S INduct air purifier for this situation, wherein 99% of particles that pass through the air cleaner are removed from the air. Nonetheless, homes are seldom completely airtight or aren’t equipped with a ventilation system, resulting in wood smoke entering the home.
Recirculation air purification research RIVM
Therefore, the RIVM has investigated how additional measures within the home can reduce the indoor wood smoke concentration. Research results show that using standalone/recirculation air cleaners, the indoor wood smoke concentration can be reduced by 36-85%. The use of standalone/recirculation air purifiers in homes with wood smoke nuisance is therefore very effective. When selecting an air purifier for your home, attention must be paid to the capacity of the air cleaner and the size of the room. When an air cleaner with a low capacity is used in a big room, the reduction of wood smoke particles and other particles will not be optimal and the nuisance can persist. Selecting the correct air purifier for your room is therefore very important.
Recirculation air purifiers VFA Solutions
The ASPRA Poco and ASPRA Aura air purifiers of VFA Solutions are ideal for reducing the indoor wood smoke concentration. The air passing through the air purifiers will for 97% be purified from all particles, ranging from wood smoke, allergens, PM10, PM2.5, ultrafine particles and even nano-particles. If you are unsure on which air purifier is right for your home, please contact us for personal advice.
