EnviroKlenz® in a Massachusetts Dental College
An indoor air quality case study.
Study Background
EnviroKlenz conducted case studies with educational partners at various locations in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. EnviroKlenz Air System Plus was deployed and operational alongside an air meter that measures and records particulate matter. The EnviroKlenz Air System utilizes multi-stages of filtration consisting of patented technology for a broad array of contaminates, UVC (254 nm wavelength), and HEPA. The air meter provides real-time estimates of particulate matter concentrations (PM1, PM2.5, PM10) and particle size distribution using a combination of multiple light scattering-based particle sensors.
The systems ran in operational educational environments with daily schedules being carried out as usual.
Increases and decreases in the particulate matter were observed as expected given the conditions with the air monitor.
The results from this case study with the EnviroKlenz Air System Plus were compared to particulate matter data from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). From 2000-2019, the EPA, through a nationwide network of over 400 monitoring sites, developed ambient air quality trends for PM 2.5 particle pollution, representing fine inhalable particles, with diameters that are generally 2.5 micrometers and smaller. In the EnviroKlenz case studies, a broader range of particles was monitored, all with similar trends, but for illustration purposes, the data collected aligned to the size range of the EPA data is shown by plotting the national standard and the top 10 percentile for air quality for comparison.
Test Details
Testing Period: 11/24/2020 – February 2021
Setting: 1,000 square foot operator with 10 ft high ceilings. High-aerosol producing and non-aerosol producing procedures were performed throughout the testing
Equipment Used: (1) EnviroKlenz Air System Plus and (1) lab-grade aerosol measurement instrument. Readings were captured in the ranges of PM10, PM2.5, and PM1 (sub-micron-sized)
Running Time: The EnviroKlenz Air System Plus is run only during class hours, typically on low
Monitor status: Kept on throughout the testing period
Observation: Spikes can be seen during procedures, but the EnviroKlenz Air Systems impressively keep levels under 10 {ug/m3}
The EnviroKlenz Air System Plus was deployed at a dental college as a supplement to capture aerosolized matter during procedures. The facility already had excellent air quality, but the systems were deployed to mitigate pathogens during procedures to prevent them from circulating in the air. The EnviroKlenz Air Systems was turned on before a procedure and were allowed to run during and after quickly capturing confined area particulates and aerosolized matter.
Comparison to National Average
Dental environments typically have PM2.5 levels of 20-20ug/m3 due to the nature of aerosolizing creating procedures. From the moment that the system was turned on, on 11/24/2020, the EnviroKlenz Air System impressively kept levels under 5 ug/m3.
