THIS BUILDING TECHNOLOGY COULD BE THE SECRET WEAPON IN THE FIGHT AGAINST COVID-19. SO WHY HAVEN'T YOU HEARD ABOUT IT?

Over the last several months, we have quickly learned that COVID-19 is in control of every aspect of our lives, and all we can do is find and implement the best ways to adapt and live with it - at least for now. We have also learned that while we wear our masks, social distance, and avoid gatherings, these practices are not full-proof solutions to mitigate the virus's spread.

Scientists and researchers across the globe have already produced studies proving that like many viruses, COVID-19 is airborne. When we breathe, speak, cough, sneeze, and even sing, we produce and expel droplets and tiny aerosols (micro-droplets) that carry the virus through the air. Aerosols are believed to be more infectious and can linger and circulate in the air for more than 16 hours, presenting the virus with the opportunity to infect anyone who enters that space. When we are indoors, the air is being recirculated and re-conditioned by the building's air handling system, which does not remove infectious viral aerosols from the air; this means that the occupants within a space are continuously breathing in the same infected air. While wearing masks, social distancing, and avoiding large gatherings are essential to limiting the spread, these practices are not full-proof, long term solutions. 

 

Given the concerns about airborne transmission, businesses and building owners struggle to find the most suitable solutions to provide their tenants, employees, and customers with the safest possible indoor environment. Facility managers and building engineers are taking a closer look at how air handling systems within buildings might be modified or improved to assist with filtration, cleaning, and ventilation to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 and other viruses. Several options have recently emerged in the news as potential options that may offer these types of benefits. Technologies such as high-intensity UVC germicidal lamps or the use of HEPA or high rated MERV filters have been suggested to address building health and safety solutions. 

 

However, one particular solution that has gotten the attention of many building and facility professionals is Needlepoint Bipolar Ionization (NPBI). NPBI is installed in a building's air handling system and works by creating and releasing positive and negative ions that travel along the air stream. These ions seek out and attach themselves to microscopic pathogens and particulates, clumping together and robbing them of their life-sustaining hydrogen - rendering them inactive. These ions are naturally occurring in nature and found outdoors and are entirely safe for humans. According to Tracey Jumper, Director of Commissioning at EMCOR, a mechanical and electrical facilities services firm, "Needlepoint Bipolar Ionization is a fantastic solution for businesses to implement as part of their overall indoor health and safety program.” 

 

In addition to actively reducing viruses floating in the air, NPBI eliminates other particulates such as bacteria, mold spores, dust, and pollen. It controls odors, cancer-causing VOCs (volatile organic compounds), carbon dioxide, oxygen, nitrogen, and water vapor, enhancing the overall indoor air quality. NPBI also improves the building’s HVAC system's overall efficiency by using less outside air, providing building owners with the added benefit of energy savings.

 

One thing to keep in mind is that there are a few different types of NPBI systems on the market - but not all are created equal. Some systems can emit ozone or other harmful by-products, but one company, Global Plasma Solutions' (GPS) NPBI system, does not.  In a recent podcast, Charlie Waddell, the founder of Global Plasma Solutions, spoke with Joanna Turpin, senior editor at The NEWS, about how their Needlepoint Bipolar Ionization can be used to purify the air by eliminating airborne particulates, odors, and pathogens - including the COVID-19 virus. Waddell provides an overview of GPS' NPBI products and their specific benefits. GPS also engaged independent laboratories to perform validation experiments to show the effectiveness of NPBI on various pathogens. Their recent testing of SARS-CoV-2 determined that within 30 minutes of exposure to NPBI effectively reduced the amount of live virus by 99.4%. 

 

But how does Needlepoint Bipolar Ionization stack up against some of the other products and solutions for buildings to use in the fight against COVID-19? Here's a quick comparison of a few:

 

UVC Lamps:

UVC lamps have been promoted as a solution to reducing COVID-19. However, UVC cannot be used in occupied spaces because the light produced is harmful to the skin and eyes. It does not kill pathogens in the air, only on surfaces, and does not mitigate particulates or control odors, as NPBI does. UVC light is a passive treatment, meaning it only works when contaminants are exposed directly to the light field, and those surfaces must be treated for a certain amount of time before the UVC light can kill the pathogen. Proper balancing of temperature and humidity levels in the space also plays a critical part in the overall effectiveness of UVC. Lower temperatures and increased humidity can reduce their performance, requiring the constant balancing between the two to ensure the UVC is adequately doing its job. UVC lamps are only effective for up to one year, and the amount of light they produce decreases over time. As the lamps degrade, mold, bacteria, and viruses can survive on them; therefore, requiring the lamps to be replaced regularly and require hazardous material disposal. 

 

Filters:

HEPA and high rated MERV filters can improve indoor air quality but, filters do not “kill viruses,” they merely trap what passes through them. Even the highest-rated filters have limitations on their ability to trap virus microbes. These filters are also generally reserved for clean rooms, surgery rooms, or other facilities whose air handling systems are designed to utilize this type of filtration. Most commercial building’s air handling systems are not designed to use these high-efficiency filters. Therefore, swapping out the filters in your facility for a high rated MERV or HEPA can significantly lessen the airflow and circulation through the air handling system. Your system must work harder to heat and cool the space, use more energy, and decrease the building’s ventilation, resulting in an escalation in your buildings' energy costs. These filters are also costly and must be replaced frequently.

 

Needlepoint Bipolar Ionization:

NPBI has gained popularity because it is considered an “active” air treatment option because the ions continuously act on air particles throughout a building even after passing through the HVAC system. The ions also help to keep the system's ducts and coils clean. Most NPBI systems have a display that allows you to see the operation status. GPS also offers an ion detector metering device that can be integrated with your building controls system to send reports of ionization levels and to confirm that the equipment installed is working correctly. GPS’ NPBI technology is self-cleaning, requiring no maintenance and reducing the system’s lifetime cost. -

 

NPBI has been adopted by some of the top hospitals and healthcare facilities, Universities, K-12 schools, airports, government buildings, office buildings, and more. Some of GPS' NPBI installations include the Mayo Clinic, University of Miami Medical Center, Johns Hopkins University, and Duke Health, Yale, Harvard, Virginia Tech, Phoenix Skyharbor Airport, Birmingham Shuttlesworth International Airport, Charlotte-Douglas International Airport, Google, and even The White House.

 

Before entertaining any additions or modifications to your building’s HVAC system, the first thing you should do is contact a reputable 3rd party building engineering or commissioning firm that can provide you with an unbiased assessment of your current system. They will help you determine your current system's capabilities and provide you with a game plan as to what you will need to obtain optimal air quality. The second most important thing you can do is to have your HVAC system inspected and cleaned by a professional regularly and ensure that the filters are changed often.  

 

While COVID-19 continues to impact every aspect of our lives, all we can do right now are find and implement the best ways to adapt and live with it. The truth is, there is no single solution that can guarantee that viruses and pathogens will be 100% eliminated from our lives forever. However, incorporating NPBI may give you peace of mind that it can help to keep your building and its inhabitants safe and healthy, now and in the future.

 

For more information about NPBI, contact EMCOR or Global Plasma Solutions directly.