Dubai, UAE: Across the globe, air pollution has escalated to new levels, with more people falling victims to harmful pollutants both indoors and outdoors. There has been a rising awareness of the air quality within closed spaces, such as homes, offices, schools and hospitals and how it can affect its occupants.

Citing a research, Dr Iyad Al-Attar, an air filtration consultant, says that exposure to particulate matter (PM 2.5, smaller than 2.5 µm) can significantly affect human health even at low concentrations. And this is where the role of air filters comes to the fore, as filters play a vital role in separating particulate matter from the air stream, says Dr Al-Attar.

Therefore, choosing the right air filters, the media and their continual maintenance is essential for optimal performance. However, Dr Al-Attar says that certain “undesired practices” are defeating the intended purpose of the filters and he explains why:

1. When disposal air filters are washed either by compressed air or water, there is a possibility of destroying the media filter and reducing the permeability
2. Weak or absence of sealing tapes, poor installing frame or improper dimensions of the installed filters can cause leakage
3. Inappropriate installation orientation or installing filters unsuitable for the existing surface area can result in poor functioning
4. If filters are operated at flow rates higher than what they are rated or designed for, it can lead to damages

“Reducing or eliminating the number of existing filtration stages to save cost, or insisting on installing damaged filters with ruptured pockets in the fine-stage position” can cause filters not to function as necessary, adds Dr Al-Attar.