Introduction to Active and Passive Air Purification

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) has become a major concern in recent years, with more people recognising the importance of breathing clean, fresh air within their homes and workplaces. To combat air pollutants and allergens, air purification systems have gained popularity. Two main approaches to air purification are active and passive methods. In this article, we will delve into the differences between active and passive air purification, exploring how they work, their benefits, and their limitations.

What is Active Air Purification?

Active air purification systems are designed to actively eliminate airborne pollutants and allergens using various technologies. These systems work by releasing agents or ions into the air, which then interact with and neutralise harmful particles. Some popular technologies used in active air purification include:

1. Ionisers: Ionisers release negative ions into the air, which attach to positively charged particles like dust, smoke, and pollen, causing them to become too heavy to remain airborne. The particles then fall to the ground, making it easier to clean or vacuum them.

2. Photocatalytic Oxidation (PCO): PCO technology uses UV light in combination with a photocatalyst (often titanium dioxide) to generate hydroxyl radicals. These radicals break down volatile organic compounds (VOCs), bacteria, and other pollutants into harmless byproducts.

Pros of Active Air Purification:

• Effectively removes a wide range of pollutants, including bacteria and viruses.
• It can improve indoor air quality quickly by actively neutralising pollutants in real-time.
• Often includes additional features like odour elimination and mould control.

Cons of Active Air Purification:

• Some active systems may produce ozone as a byproduct, which can be harmful in high concentrations.
• Filters or plates in active systems require regular cleaning or replacement.
• May be more energy-intensive than passive air purification methods.

What is Passive Air Purification?

Passive air purification relies on natural processes or mechanical filtration to clean the air. These systems do not release any agents into the air but instead trap and remove particles through filters or other physical means. Common passive air purification methods include:

1. HEPA Filters: High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters are widely regarded as one of the most effective methods for removing airborne particles. These filters can capture particles as small as 2.5 microns with an efficiency of 99.97%.

2. Activated Carbon Filters: Activated carbon filters specialize in removing odours, smoke, and VOCs. The carbon’s porous structure absorbs these gaseous pollutants, effectively purifying the air.

3. Mechanical Filtration: Mechanical filters like pre-filters and electrostatic precipitators physically capture larger particles as air passes through them.

4. UV-C Light: UV-C light is a type of ultraviolet light that can effectively kill bacteria, viruses, and mould spores. Air purifiers equipped with UV-C lamps emit this light to sterilise the air as it passes through the unit.

Pros of Passive Air Purification:

• Proven effectiveness in removing airborne particles, allergens, and pollutants.
• Does not produce any harmful byproducts like ozone.
• Generally, consumes less energy than active air purification systems.

Cons of Passive Air Purification:

• May not be as effective in eliminating certain volatile organic compounds or pathogens compared to active methods.
• Filter replacement is required regularly, adding to maintenance costs.
• Takes longer to improve air quality as compared to active systems.

Both active and passive air purification methods have their strengths and weaknesses. Active air purification can quickly neutralise a wide range of pollutants but may produce ozone and require more maintenance. On the other hand, passive air purification methods use natural or mechanical means to remove pollutants but might not be as efficient against certain airborne pathogens.

When choosing an air purification system, it is essential to consider your specific needs, the pollutants you want to target, and the ongoing maintenance requirements. A combination of both active and passive air purification technologies might be the most comprehensive approach to achieve optimal indoor air quality.

Now, imagine a single unit, which has the power to sanitise your indoor environment actively and passively. A unit which is aesthetic, has state of the art technology, and can protect you from bacteria, VOCs, allergens, and viruses including COVID-19 which pose a risk to the health and wellbeing of people in the built environment.

This is the power of EnviroGuard PRO X, which combines the best of technologies to sanitise your indoor environment actively and passively.

PrimeProtect™ Filtration System for Passively Sanitising the Indoor Air

EnviroGuard PRO X features 4 layered PrimeProtect™ Filtration technology.

Stage 1: Coarse particulate Pre-Filter captures large particles including pollen, mould spores and pet dander.

Stage 2: Antimicrobial Filter powered by AerisGuard™ Bioactive Filter Treatment. The AerisGuard™ Bioactive Filter affords additional efficacy reducing mould, bacteria, and viruses on contact. It specifically prevents colonisation of harmful indoor pathogens and viruses, such as COVID-19, in the filter. Traditional filters tend to become blocked by a build-up of this material and become less effective over time.

Stage 3: Medical Grade HEPA-13 filter is 99.97% effective in reducing airborne viruses, bacteria, mould & allergens of 0.3 μm

Stage 4: Advanced activated Carbon Filter for VOCs and chemicals. Removes harmful gases, unpleasant odours, fumes, and VOCs including chemicals from clothing, paint, or furniture.

Purox™ Gel Technology to Actively Sanitise the Indoor Air and Surfaces

The Purox™ Gel Technology is a breakthrough system that manages every aspect of indoor air quality and environmental surface hygiene. After the air gets filtered, the air passes from the Purox™ Gel canister to release back into the air. The indoor air released filled with Purox™ Gel particles actively sanitises the air and once the particles settle on the surfaces, it actively sanitises the surfaces.

The synergy of these proprietary technologies delivers significantly improved indoor air quality. EnviroGuard PRO X is available to purchase from our website which will provide a comprehensive approach to achieve optimal indoor air quality.

If you have any question about the product and want to understand if EnviroGuard PRO X is the right product for you, contact us now!