WESTFIELD — Representatives from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry are coming to Westfield this week to conduct another round of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) data collection through the dust that settles in people’s homes.

The federal ADSTR, in coordination with the Environmental Protection Agency, will conduct the dust sampling June 7-16 from 80 Westfield homes, taking about an hour for each home.

In 20 out of the 80 homes, according to an email from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, indoor air samples will be taken along with bulk dust and wet wipe samples from inside the home, and soil samples from outside the home.

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NEW YORK, June 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — The National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs determined that RGF Environmental Group, Inc., manufacturer of RGF Air Purification Devices, can make certain general efficacy claims, including that the REME HALO air purifier “provides whole home and building purification.”

However, NAD recommended that the advertiser discontinue claims that:

• The REME HALO air purifier provides “total indoor air purification”;
• The REME HALO air purifier “kills up to 99% of bacteria, mold and viruses”;
• The REME HALO air purifier “reduces sneeze germs by 99% in the time a sneeze can reach three feet”; and
• The REME HALO is “designed to eliminate sick building syndrome risks by reducing odors, air pollutants, VOCs (chemical odors), smoke, mold, bacteria and viruses,” as well as the nearly identical claim for the GUARDIAN QR+ device.

NAD also recommended that the advertiser discontinue certain claims relating to the safety of the emissions generated by the RGF devices.

The claims at issue were challenged by Synexis LLC, a manufacturer of competing air purification devices. Synexis challenged advertising by RGF for its REME HALO, REME MARINER, REME ATS, and Guardian QR+ air purification devices, which are intended to optimize the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) within building environments, including homes and public spaces. IAQ is determined by the levels of toxic gases, particulates, microbial contaminants (such as mold, bacteria, and viruses), and other pollutants that can exist in the air and on surfaces.

“Total Indoor Purification” Claims

Regarding the advertiser’s claim that the REME HALO air purifier provides “total indoor air purification,” NAD determined that consumers may reasonably take away the message that the device provides and maintains a continuous, complete, and 100% pollutant-free environment. While the advertiser submitted evidence as to the general efficacy of its devices, NAD noted that the advertiser did not submit evidence to support a “total indoor purification” message.

Accordingly, NAD recommended that RGF discontinue the claim that the REME HALO offers “Total Indoor Air Purification,” as well as the related implied claims that RGF’s test results are reflective of real-world results that would support a claim of “total” purification or that RGF’s technology can purify the totality of a home or building space by ridding indoor air of 100% of contaminants.

“Whole Home” Claims

In contrast to a standalone air purifier placed in a particular room, both the REME HALO and the Guardian QR+ are typically installed in the ducting or through HVAC systems and are characterized as “whole home” air purifiers.

NAD determined that the claims that “REME HALO® provides whole home and building purification” and “Whole Home Air Purification System…Kills Bacteria and Viruses on Surfaces and In The Air…Patented Technology, Third-Party Tested, Validated and Proven” reasonably convey the message that the devices are generally effective.

NAD also concluded that the claim that the GUARDIAN QR+ line is “proactive and sends ionized aggressive advanced oxidizers into the room to destroy the pollutants at the source, in the air and on surfaces” reasonably conveys a message about the devices’ advertised mechanism of action.

After examining the evidence, NAD concluded that these general efficacy claims were supported. NAD noted that RGF provided extensive testing and analyses of its products, conducted by many well-credentialed third-party laboratories and academic researchers, which yielded consistent results over many years demonstrating an improvement in indoor air quality. Further, NAD found that a significant number of the studies submitted were performed in consumer-relevant or real-world conditions.

Accordingly, NAD determined that RGF has a reasonable basis for such claims, as well as the related implied claim that RGF’s test results are reflective of real-world results.

“99%” and Sneeze Germ Claims

Regarding the claim that the REME HALO “Kills up to 99% of bacteria, mold and viruses,” NAD noted that the claim appears in a standalone context where a reasonable takeaway is that the device kills up to 99% of all bacteria, mold, and viruses in a given space. Another reasonable takeaway is that the “99%” is a reference to the range of types of “bacteria, mold and viruses” that the REME HALO can eliminate.

After reviewing the advertiser’s evidence NAD determined that neither message was adequately supported and recommended that the claim be discontinued.

NAD noted that nothing in its decision precludes the advertiser from making truthful and non-misleading claims about the range of bacteria, mold, and viruses its devices are capable of killing or the quantity of bacteria, mold, and viruses able to be killed in a given space.

NAD also recommended that the advertiser discontinue claims that:

• The REME HALO “Reduces sneeze germs by 99% in the time a sneeze can reach three feet,” and
• The Guardian QR+ “Kills 99% of Sneeze Germs Within 3 Feet.”

NAD found that the advertiser’s supporting evidence was flawed and, further, that some of the advertising conveys a message through imagery that the RGF devices would “instantly” kill sneeze germs during the sneeze, a message that did not fit with testing that measured the effect at longer time intervals.

Health Benefit Claims

NAD determined that the message reasonably conveyed in the challenged advertising is that the RGF devices are more than simply “designed to eliminate” the risks associated with Sick Building Syndrome, but that they eliminate or neutralize those risks. NAD found that the evidence did not support that message.

Therefore, NAD recommended that the advertiser discontinue:

• The claim that REME HALO is “designed to eliminate Sick Building Syndrome risks by reducing odors, air pollutants, VOCs (chemical odors), smoke, mold, bacteria and viruses”;
• The claim that GUARDIAN QR+ device is “designed to eliminate sick building syndrome risks by neutralizing odors, air pollutants, VOCs (chemical odors), smoke, mold, bacteria and viruses”; and
• The implied claim that RGF has conducted studies that establish that its devices eliminate the risks associated with sick building syndrome and work throughout a whole home.

NAD noted that nothing in its decision precludes the advertiser from making truthful and non-misleading claims about the devices’ efficacy with respect to any of the individual risk factors associated with Sick Building Syndrome.

Safety Claims

Regarding the advertiser’s claim that the GUARDIAN QR+ unit creates “an Advanced Oxidation Plasma consisting of Ionized Hydro-peroxides, Super oxide ions and Hydroxide ions. All are friendly oxidizers,” NAD determined that consumers may reasonably infer that RGF’s technology does not produce any undesirable or “unfriendly” substances such as ozone. Because it was not demonstrated that the RGF devices were “ozone-free,” NAD recommended that the advertiser discontinue the claim that its devices create “friendly oxidizers.”

NAD also recommended that the advertiser discontinue the claim that “There is no known case of hydroperoxides ever creating a health risk.” NAD noted that while it may be an accurate statement and nothing in the record indicated that hydroperoxides do create health risks, the level of certainty with which this claim is expressed conveys an unsupported message that hydroperoxides have been exhaustively studied to the point of ruling out any single adverse health effect. 

NAD noted that nothing in its decision precludes the advertiser from making truthful and non-misleading claims regarding the proven safety of its devices and the emissions they generate.

Finally, during the proceeding, the advertiser permanently discontinued several challenged express and implied claims. Therefore, NAD did not review these claims on the merits.

In its advertiser statement, RGF stated that it “will comply with NAD’s recommendations.” Further, while the advertiser expressed disappointment with NAD’s conclusion regarding the message conveyed by its “friendly oxidizers” claim it stated that it will “take the NAD’s recommendations into account in future advertising and agrees to comply with the NAD’s recommendations with respect to any of its advertising still in use at present.

All BBB National Programs case decision summaries can be found in the case decision library. For the full text of NAD, NARB, and CARU decisions, subscribe to the online archive.

About BBB National Programs: BBB National Programs is where businesses turn to enhance consumer trust and consumers are heard. The non-profit organization creates a fairer playing field for businesses and a better experience for consumers through the development and delivery of effective third-party accountability and dispute resolution programs. Embracing its role as an independent organization since the restructuring of the Council of Better Business Bureaus in June 2019, BBB National Programs today oversees more than a dozen leading national industry self-regulation programs, and continues to evolve its work and grow its impact by providing business guidance and fostering best practices in arenas such as advertising, child-directed marketing, and privacy. To learn more, visit bbbprograms.org.

About the National Advertising Division: The National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs provides independent self-regulation and dispute resolution services, guiding the truthfulness of advertising across the U.S. NAD reviews national advertising in all media and its decisions set consistent standards for advertising truth and accuracy, delivering meaningful protection to consumers and leveling the playing field for business.  

SOURCE BBB National Programs

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Technically the summer season is still a few weeks away, but temperatures have already soared. Centralized HVAC systems can be prohibitively expensive, but that doesn’t mean you have to melt in the heat. You can snag great deals on portable, window and ductless air conditioners or air purifiers from Woot starting at prices starting as low as $100 now through June 8. 

If you’re looking for a machine that can do it all, consider investing in a ductless mini-split air conditioner. These devices can provide year-round relief, because they provide both cooling and heating. And these Tosot units also tend to run quietly, at between 24 and 31 decibels. The one drawback is that unless you’re ultrasavvy in performing electrical work, plumbing, checking for refrigerant leaks and drilling, you will need to find a qualified professional to help you with installation. You can grab the 230-volt model for $630 or the 115-volt option for $650. Both provide up to 9,000 BTU.

Window units have come a long way in recent years, taking up less energy than past iterations and having a more minimalistic design. The sale features an 8,000-BTU window air conditioning unit that cools spaces up to 350 square feet for $300, saving you $50. Or, for the same price you can score a 10,000-BTU window AC for rooms up to 450 square feet. And for $350, you can get a 12,000-BTU window unit that cools large spaces of up to 550 square feet. 

Not sure about a window unit? There are other options available, too. Portable air conditioners are plug-in units that use a nearby window and a power cord to operate and chill rooms. There’s no need for a costly installation. They’re not the same as window units. Instead, they resemble tower fans and may be placed in any room’s corner. 

Tosot’s portable air conditioner provides up to 8,000 BTU of cool air and is multifunctional. Not only can it cool your room, but it can also operate as a fan or act as a dehumidifier capable of removing over 2 pints of water per hour. It works best in spaces up to 250 square feet. Plus, your purchase comes with an installation kit so your exhaust hose can empty out of the window and a remote control so you don’t have to get up every time you want to adjust your temperature settings. The cost of this portable unit is just $262, a savings of $48. Or you can get the larger, 10,000-BTU portable air conditioner unit for rooms up to 300 square feet for just $280, which is a discount of $50. 

And if you’re looking for air purifier deals, the Tosot KJ350G comes with an H13 medical-grade true HEPA filter and UV light, which eliminates 99.97% of airborne particles, bacteria, viruses, mold and more. And it features sleep mode, running at a reduced noise level of 32 decibels (not much above a whisper) so it doesn’t disturb you while it runs. It also has an automatic mode that will adjust the fan speed based on the air quality near the machine. This air purifier works best in spaces up to 450 square feet and costs just $100.

Read more: Window Air Conditioners vs. Portable Air Conditioners: Which One Is Best for You?

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I’ve developed a reputation as someone who, for two reasons, almost never loses a bet: I don’t bet very often and I only bet on sure things.

As of this moment, there are three reasons I am willing to bet that Sarah Huckabee Sanders will be our next governor and Republican candidates will win the vast majority of state races. The first is the “R” beside their names; the second (for her only) is the endorsement she received from her former boss; and the third is my predicted outcome if, as anticipated, there is a low turnout.

This Silent Generation senior who moved to Arkansas 46 years ago is concerned enough about this that he is unwilling to remain silent.

I have voted several times for people with an “R” beside their name. The “R” doesn’t disturb me. What bothers me is that I don’t know what the “R” beside Sanders’ name and that of many of today’s Republican candidates stands for.

My concern that a low turnout will help any candidate win who has an “R” beside their name is because there are a number of candidates with an “R” beside their name who, if elected to a responsible position, cannot be depended on to act responsibly. Some indications of their behaviors that, to me, are red flags include: failing to even show up at forums where they might have to respond to unknown questions; their scripted commercials that tell us nothing about what they stand for (or against); their sanitized responses to questions from reporters that are printed in newspapers (or, worse yet, their failure to provide any response); and, finally, their expressed beliefs and promises about what they will do if elected.

We, the people–and voters in the once nicknamed “Land of Opportunity”–deserve more!

However, with the right leadership in the governor’s office and Legislature, we could take advantage of some of the state’s major assets and start moving up in the rankings. These assets include the ability and motivation of the people in this state; the graciousness and hospitality of its residents; its readily accessible post-secondary educational opportunities; and then shift to those characteristics that led to its current nickname as The Natural State. These include such things as: clean air, diversity of terrain, a four-seasons climate, outstanding recreation facilities including lots of lakes, clean rivers (some of which are world-famous for trout fishing), 52 state parks (many of which have lodges), affordable housing, lots of available land (including one of the most productive agricultural regions of the world), and reliable water supplies.

I predict we will have a strong national and state economy in the next few years. When added to millions of federal infrastructure and American Rescue Plan dollars, that means we will have a rare opportunity for Arkansas to make significant improvements in our longtime position in the bottom five of all 50 states, and improve our reputation as a great place to live, learn, work, and raise a family.

For this to happen, we need to raise our ratings in K-12 education, bachelor’s degree attainment, average income, percentage of citizens with health care, household income, poverty rate, average life expectancy, life expectancy at birth, high school diplomacy rate, unemployment rate, violent crime rate, rate of obesity, percentage of smokers, and percentage reporting poor mental health.

Don’t believe it is possible? Look at what Sam Pittman has done! As he has proven, with the right leadership and a strong supporting team, miracles can occur!

To select the best leaders to take us down this road, we need all candidates to tell us which rights they believe citizens are entitled to, then state their plans for how they plan to use the advantages listed above and the current and projected tax dollars and federal funds to move us up in each of these low-rated state rankings.

It would help if our state newspaper (and other papers) would invite candidates to respond to a list of well-thought-out questions, publish the results, and make the answers (and non-respondents) available on social media for non-subscribers. Additionally, it is important that some nonpolitical organizations sponsor a number of town hall forums around the state so citizens can ask questions of each candidate in a civil atmosphere.

Let’s see who shows up, who really believes it is possible to improve our state’s rankings, who has a viable plan about how to proceed, and who shows both the willingness and the ability to lead a nonpartisan effort to move us forward.

These are my thoughts. I admit to being hopeful, as opposed to optimistic, but as Sam Pittman has taught us: You have to believe–and work like hell.

Jim Hammons is an emeritus professor of higher education at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.

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Focus

Associated Press – June 2

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Thursday proposed to undo a Trump-era rule limiting the power of states and Native American tribes under the Clean Water Act to block certain federally-regulated projects, such as gas pipelines and dams, based on their potential to pollute. The rule in question required local regulators to focus their reviews on the pollution that projects might discharge into specific rivers, streams, and wetlands. It also rigidly enforced a one-year deadline for regulators to make permitting decisions. EPA’s proposal would give states the authority to look beyond pollution discharged into waterways and “holistically evaluate” the impact of a project on local water quality. The proposal would also give local regulators more power to ensure they have the information they need before facing deadline pressure to issue or deny a permit. The final rule isn’t expected to go into effect until 2023, following a public comment period.

News

Courthouse News Service – May 31

A California appeals court Tuesday ruled that invertebrates, including four species of a native bumble bee, are protected under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA), reversing a 2020 Sacramento Superior Court decision. Various agricultural interests sued the California Fish and Game Commission (CFGC) for listing the bees as endangered, arguing that bees were outside the commission’s domain since they aren’t birds, reptiles, mammals, fish, or amphibians. The ruling ends a four-year clash between the CFGC and agricultural groups. It also paves the way for protection of other threatened insects under CESA, including the Monarch butterfly, whose population has dropped 95% since the 1980s.

San Francisco Chronicle – May 31

Sacramento Superior Court Judge James Arguelles on May 19 ordered a halt to a statewide program of spraying pesticides on public lands and some private property, saying California officials are required to assess the potential health effects of spraying projects in advance and have failed to do so. The ruling follows a state appellate court decision in October holding that the state Department of Food and Agriculture significantly understated the amount of pesticide it uses, and failed to provide protections for waterways, bees, and other pollinators that can be harmed by the chemicals.

Los Angeles Times – May 31

A long-dead proposal to flood a valley some 70 miles north of Sacramento and create a massive reservoir to supply water for Southern California is finding new life — and opposition — amid the effects of climate change and worsening drought. First conceived in the 1950s, the Sites Reservoir project, located about 10 miles west of the small town of Maxwell and Interstate 5 in Colusa County, was abandoned in the 1980s. Recently, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California appropriated $20 million for project planning, saying the reservoir would make the region’s water supply more resilient in times of drought. The proposal has also gained bipartisan support led by Governor Gavin Newsom, $816 million from a voter-approved bond, and more than $2.2 billion in loans offered by state and federal agencies.

Freight Waves – May 31

The Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA) is suing the California Air Resources Board for moving too quickly to implement pollution regulation changes in the state. The EMA claims in a lawsuit filed last Friday in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California that stringent emission standards, test procedures, and other emission-related requirements adopted by the agency ignore the Clean Air Act provision that gives manufacturers at least four years to comply. California adopted its Heavy-Duty Engine and Vehicle Omnibus Regulation on December 21. The new standards take effect on January 1, 2024.

Bloomberg Law – May 26

EPA on Thursday unveiled a review of dozens of existing laws it can use to better protect marginalized communities from pollution and advance the Biden administration’s broad environmental justice efforts. The legal tools review, which has undergone its first update since 2011, reflects statutory changes that have been made since EPA’s general counsel first published the Obama-era document. While the document is primarily written for internal use, it also could assist states authorized to enforce environmental laws and regulations as well as environmental justice advocacy groups and industry attorneys.

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — There’s another windy weekend ahead in the Las Vegas valley, and an air quality advisory has been issued for elevated levels of dust.

The Clark County Department of Environment and Sustainability has issued a dust advisory for Saturday and Sunday, with southwest winds of 25 mph expected to start Saturday evening and continue into Sunday morning. Some gusts are expected to hit 30 mph.

Red flag fire weather warnings are also in effect for Southern Nevada on Friday and Saturday. The combination of high heat, low humidity and strong winds means increased fire danger, especially in rural and mountain areas.

The high today is expected to reach 98 degrees with partly cloudy skies. Temperatures will dip a couple degrees on Saturday before climbing on Sunday. Then look for the warmest temperatures of the year so far over the next 8 days. Monday will reach 100, up to 102 Tuesday, 104 Wednesday and 106 Thursday before dipping to 105 a week from today.

Tips to limit exposure to dust include:

• Limit outdoor exertion on windy days when dust is in the air. Exercise, for example, makes you breathe heavier and increases the amount of particulates you are likely to inhale.
• Keep windows and doors closed.
• Run your air conditioner inside your house and car to filter out particulates.
• Consider changing your indoor air filters if they are dirty.
• To keep dust down, drive slowly on unpaved roads.
• Don’t take short cuts across vacant lots.
• Ride off-road vehicles in approved areas outside the urban Las Vegas Valley.

Call Environment and Sustainability’s dust complaint hotline at 702-385-DUST (3878) to report excessive amounts of blowing dust from construction sites, vacant lots or facilities.

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Green & Clean Home Services in Cleveland provides a variety of eco-friendly cleaning services to the greater Cleveland area.

From commercial cleaning to residential cleaning, Green & Clean Home Services provides customers with quality services at affordable prices. They strive to maintain their health and help the environment by providing 100% chemical-free services.

The importance of eco-friendly cleaning services cannot be ignored. There are so many benefits that come with using green and clean services. The most important is the health benefits. You don’t have to worry about what chemicals they’re using to clean your house, you can sleep without worrying if anything will cause you or your family harm.

Locally owned and operated, the company is dedicated to delivering the best eco-friendly cleaning services in Cleveland. This means using the best services and technology as well as eco-friendly and pet-friendly products. Eco-friendly services don’t only make your home look attractive and appealing to your family, but also help protect your home from allergens and bacteria that can cause serious illnesses.

With the growing popularity of eco-friendly cleaning services and products, many people now understand the importance of keeping their homes clean with eco-friendly products. Eco-friendly cleaning tools are always better alternatives to what you usually use at home.

Healthy living starts at home, so let the experts at Green and Clean Home Services USA Inc. handle your environmentally friendly cleaning needs. You’ll be amazed at how quickly they can make your home look great while inviting a healthy environment that is safe for you, your family and pets.

At Green and Clean Home Services USA Inc., their goal is to provide environmentally responsible cleaning services to ensure that pollutants from these household chemicals don’t make their way into the environment. These services are offered to residential and commercial clients throughout Cleveland and surrounding areas.

Green & Clean Home Services offers a full range of services, including chimney and fireplace services of cleaning, carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning, floor care, and sanitation.

Their air duct or dryer vent cleaning reduces indoor air pollution by removing everything from simple dust particles in your HVAC system. This helps keep your house cleaner, makes breathing easier, and even works to stop bacteria inside the vents from harming you.

Green & Clean Home Services makes sure that their customers are delighted with the service provided, especially regarding pricing and response time. Green & Clean Home Services is available to all types of businesses and clients. If you’re looking for a cleaning company, they’re your best option.

When working with them, quality is guaranteed. You can visit their website at https://greenandcleanhomeservices.com/ to get a free quote and check out promotions and coupons.

Contact name: David Zilberman

Email: [email protected]

About Green and Clean Home Services USA Inc.

Green and Clean Home Services is a one-stop shop for air duct and vent cleaning, dryer vent cleaning, chimney, and fireplace cleaning & inspection & repairs & chimney cap installation, carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning (furniture, matters, drapes, and more), and residential and commercial sanitation.

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Manufacturing, processing, handling, and packaging powders and bulk solids can generate nuisance and hazardous dusts and reduce indoor air quality. Facility operators must effectively collect and contain these particles to protect worker health and maintain regulatory compliance.

A proven solution is to install an industrial dust collection system that uses cartridge-style filters. Cartridge filters are cylindrical in shape, so they can hold more square meters of filter media (fabric) than panel filters. This is important because generally more media means more dust can be collected.

Unlike panel filters, cylinder-shaped filters can also be cleaned with a pulse cleaning system. Here’s how it works. The media traps the airborne dust as it flows through the dust collector. As the filter cartridges become loaded with dust, the collector shoots a high-velocity pulse of compressed air into the center of the cartridge. The pulse of air expels the dust from the cartridge, where it falls down into a disposal hopper. This continual pulse cleaning process extends the life of the filter cartridges for many months, but they eventually need to be replaced with new ones.

This article looks at how to select and maintain cartridge dust collector filters to ensure good indoor air quality and cost-effective operation.

Use the Right Filter Media

Using the right media helps to ensure good indoor air quality and to significantly reduce employee exposure to airborne particles. In addition, selecting the right cartridge filter media for your application and type of dust is key to keeping a dust collector operating efficiently over its lifetime.

Factors like dust size, shape, and combustibility help to determine the right type of filter media. The only way to get an accurate assessment of dust properties is to have an independent laboratory or equipment supplier test a sample.

Base filter media usually is either a synthetic polyester or polyester silicone blend (called spunbond) or a nonwoven cellulosic blend (called cellulose). The base fabric can be treated with a coating to provide specific performance properties such as static dissipation, oil and water repellency, flame retardance or superior release of hazardous dust particles.

Image courtesy of Camfil APC

Filter media can be treated with various coatings to provide specific performance properties.

Maintain the Filters

Powder and bulk solids applications generate dust that fills up the filter cartridges every few minutes or seconds. When filters capture dust, airflow is restricted and the collector’s fan has to work harder to keep the airflow high enough to capture the dust particles. This resistance to airflow is referred to as increased pressure drop. As your system operates, the pressure drop of the air filter is constantly increasing due to ongoing dust loading.

Dust collectors have internal cleaning systems—known as pulse cleaning or jet pulse cleaning—that eject bursts of compressed air into the center of the filter cartridge every few seconds. These air pulses push through the filter media at high velocity and with pressure of approximately 90–100 psi, which blows most of the dust out of the cartridge, so it falls down into the hopper.

In terms of filter maintenance, if the compressed air psi is too low, the filters might not be thoroughly cleaned. However, if the psi is too high, you run the risk of stressing, tearing, and damaging the media or cartridge itself. In addition, oil or water in the compressed air lines can cause pressure drop and filter media failure. Therefore, monitoring the compressed air system is an important part of filter maintenance.

Image courtesy of Camfil APC

Pulse cleaning of a cartridge filter

While keeping filters clean reduces pressure drop, overcleaning the filters shortens cartridge life and increases energy costs due to the overuse of compressed air. Using selective cleaning controls provides an easy way to keep filters clean. You can select from continuous cleaning, on-demand cleaning, or downtime cleaning. Continuous cleaning is best for porous dusts and high dust loading applications. For most other dust types, on-demand cleaning is recommended. This enables you to set a range of differential pressures to start and stop the filter cartridge cleaning. In this way, you can use less compressed air and achieve optimal filter cleaning efficiency and filter life.

Replace the Filters

Eventually too much dust will become deeply embedded in the filters to be removed by pulse cleaning. An indication that it is time to replace a filter is reduced airflow seen at the end of the filters’ lifespan leading to a reduction in capture velocity at a process area or an increase in dust within the process area.

Pressure drop across the collector that reduces the system’s ability to capture dust is another sign that you need to change out the filter. Also watch for dust escaping the filter and re-entering the facility.

Although they constantly process high volumes of dust, premium cartridge filters can last up to a year. Filter life is dependent on the quality of the filter and whether the right media is used for the job. Using premium cartridge filters reduces replacement frequency and therefore saves on maintenance downtime and disposal costs. Long-life cartridge filters can perform for up to a year between changeouts. However, operations that generate heavy dust loading can require more frequent filter replacement.

Beware of inexpensive replacement filters, which can fail in a short amount of time, defeating the purpose. One reason is that they cannot withstand the power of the pulse cleaning system. Malfunctioning filters create a mess by sending dust into the work area, which reduces air quality, causes a potential health risk for workers, contaminates products, and can even damage equipment.

Image courtesy of Camfil APC

Inexpensive replacement filters can fail quickly.

When shopping for filters, pay attention to the design. Cartridge filter media is pleated. The key is to use filter media with a wide pleat because this design enables the airstream to reach 100% of the media. If the pleats are too tight, the media is compressed instead of open to the airstream. The wide-pleat design improves airflow through the filter, provides more surface area for filtration, reduces pressure drop, uses less compressed air, improves filter longevity, and saves energy. A wide-pleat filter also better releases the collected dust from the filter, which makes cleaning more efficient.

Image courtesy of Camfil APC

Narrow-pleat versus wide-pleat filter design

Practice Safe Filter Change-Out

Dust collectors that require operators to enter the equipment to change out filters are a risk to the safety of workers. Fortunately, many cartridge-style dust collectors are designed so that filters are readily accessible and easily slide in and out. Dust collectors with fast-open heavy-gauge doors provide entry-free access to the filter cartridges for safe, easy replacement.

Image courtesy of Camfil APC

Easy access and railed platform enable safe filter replacement.

To enhance worker safety, these lockout/tagout doors are fully reversible for access from either side to prevent injury caused by accidentally opening the door during a pulse cycle. OSHA-compliant railed safety platforms and ladders with fall arrest systems can prevent slips and falls when workers access the collector to change the filter. If you are handling highly toxic dust, regulations may require a bag-in/bag-out (BIBO) containment system to isolate workers from the used filters during replacement.

Image courtesy of Camfil APC

Bag-in/bag-out containment systems protect workers from toxic dust during filter replacement.

The Right Filters for the Job

Managing airborne particulates is an important part of safe powder and bulk solids operations, and filtration is at the heart of collecting and containing those particulates. Selecting and maintaining the best filters for your applications help you achieve good indoor air quality and operate your dust collector as safely and efficiently as possible.

Stephanie Schales is a project manager at Camfil Air Pollution Control (APC), where she supports mining dust collection applications and the Southeast US and Latin America territories. For more information, call 800-479-6801 or 870-933-8048, email [email protected], or visit www.camfilapc.com.

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Sport utility vehicles (SUVs) were once specialist items for people who needed to drive off the beaten path—for pleasure or work. Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) were originally uncommon on American roadways. But with their unique combination of elegance and usefulness, it’s clear to see why they’ve grown in popularity. If you don’t believe an SUV is right for you, yo might want to reevaluate. The 2023 Land Rover Defender 130 is ready to make you fall in love with new SUVs for all the right reasons.

The British 4×4 gurus introduced the 2023 Defender 130. The newest member of the family is certainly the largest, with provision for the third row of seats. People desire the Defender for many reasons, including its design, personality, and off-roading abilities. The Defender 130’s longer body allows for a more spacious interior but still traverse a variety of rough terrain. The latest Land Rover comes with a slew of amenities that enhance its look, and it seats eight people.

RELATED: Why We Think The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Is Vastly Superior Than Its Competitors

Why We Love: Bigger, Better and Stronger Defender 130

The third row seats in the Defender 110 were best described as pointless. The Defender 130 has a 2+3+3 seating configuration that can accommodate eight adults. The 110 and the 130 offer the same 120-inch long wheelbase, but the rear overhang on the 130 is more to accommodate the additional passengers. The new Defender 130 features an additional 13.3 inches of the body in the back, bringing the entire length to 210.9 inches. Overall, it’s 13.3 inches longer at 210.9 inches. This gives it a length of up to 14.8 inches over a Toyota Land Cruiser J300 and 6 inches over a Jeep Grand Cherokee L.

Via: Land Rover

The longer body allows for a more roomy eight-seat cabin, which is claimed to fit three adults in the third row. The third row of the 130 has a lot more legroom and shoulder room now. Also, the second-row slides and folds for simple access. Air vents, padded armrests, storage, USB-C ports, and optional heated seats, as well as a sunroof, are all available to third-row passengers. The second and third rows have slightly higher stadium seats for enhanced viewing. Just like we saw on previous Land Rover models. There is, however, extra storage capacity. More specifically, the rear end expands by 13.38 inches, bringing the back-load space to 80.9 cubic feet, up from 78.8 cubic feet on the 110.

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Why We Love: Made For The Worst Type of Terrain

Via: Land Rover

Another thing we love about this SUV is its off-road capability. Which is exactly what the Land Rover designed the Defender for. Certainly, the extra dimensions will have an impact on its off-roading ability, particularly the departure angle. They have reduced the maximum departure angle from 40 degrees to 28.5 degrees. However, the Land Rover has a minor trick up its sleeve. They enable the air suspension to rise a bit higher than the conventional car, allowing it to handle tough terrain with just as ease.

Land Rover’s Terrain Response technology controls the Defenders off-road capability. This allows the driver to fine-tune the driving experience to any terrain via the Pivi Pro touchscreen. Land Rover’s aluminum-intensive monocoque D7x architecture is the foundation for the Defenders off-road capability. Allowing a towing capacity of up to 3,000 kg. The Terrain Response technology also allows for up to 16.9 inches of axle movement and a 35.4-inch water-fording depth rating. Making it one of the most competent SUVs on the planet.

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Why We Love: The New Exclusive Sedona Red Color And The Defender 130 Technology

Via landrover

The exterior paint finish displayed, Sedona Red above, is a brand-new exclusive color for the 130, making it stand out from the competition. Optional Extended Bright Pack with Ebony Full Windsor Leather seats and Smoked Oak Veneer comes standard. Silver-painted lower finishes and brilliant silver 20-inch wheels complete the outside look.

Via: Land Rover

The curved 10.3-inch touchscreen that appeared on Defender V8 models comes equipped on the Defender 130. However, the high-end X trim level gets an even bigger 11.4-inch screen that runs the newest version of the automaker’s Pivi Pro interface. They include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as default, as well as what3words navigation. This navigation can map instructions to any 3 m square in the world, and does not require a mobile service. Making it easier to discover a new destination in even the most distant regions.

The Defender 130 also comes with an air purification system as an option. The technology monitors air quality both inside and outside the vehicle. This minimizes pollutants, smells, and viruses. A purge function allows vehicle owners to start the clean-up remotely from their smartphone before entering the car.

The Defender 130 has been in the works for a while. It joins and expands Land Rover’s Defender range with a new option which offer more practicality. Something the two other 90 and 110 models lacked. However, being a true Defender, it seems to have not compromised on its off-road capabilities and that is the real reason why we love the new Land Rover Defender 130.

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About The Author

Monish Mandavra
(71 Articles Published)

Monish Mandavra grew up surrounded by Indian car culture and likes anything on wheels, but especially loves Japanese cars and classic vehicles. When he is not writing or working, he is either playing video games or headed towards the gym.

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As part of the federal government’s action plan to expand clean and safe school transportation across the country, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently launched the Clean School Bus Program. The new program aims to use $5 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act over the next five years replace diesel-powered school buses with zero-emission and low-emission models. Almost 95 percent of school buses nationwide are powered by diesel, carrying more than 25 million children to school every day.

In 2020, the number of diesel emissions was equal to approximately 26 percent of the US transportation sector’s carbon emissions or about 9 percent of the country’s total energy-related carbon emissions. Not only will this transition reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, but it will also minimize health risks associated with diesel exhaust, such as eye and nasal irritation, headache, and fatigue.

Several places nationwide have already begun shifting away from diesel-powered school buses. The Montgomery County Public Schools district in Maryland, which intends to replace more than 1,442 diesel buses by 2035, began its transition to electric school buses last year. The city of Boston hopes to replace more than 700 school buses with electric ones by 2030, starting with 20 buses in the next school year. The state of New York is the first state to commit to electrifying all its school buses, a goal it hopes to achieve by 2035.

Diesel-powered school buses affect human and environmental health

Diesel engines contribute to poor air quality because exhaust contains various pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, and fine particles.

“When diesel is burned in a bus engine, it produces fine particulate matter—particles with a diameter much smaller than human hair—that floats in the air and lodge deep in our lungs when we breathe them in,” says Jeremy J. Michalek, director of the Vehicle Electrification Group at Carnegie Mellon University. 

Fine particulate matter can increase the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and exacerbate existing health conditions such as asthma and heart disease. Diesel exhaust exposure may also cause changes in lung function and inflammatory changes in the airways, and increase the risk of lung cancer and premature death. Children, whose bodies are still going through physical growth and functional maturation, are especially vulnerable to air pollution.

“Diesel exhaust is one of the most dangerous pollutants we come in contact with in our daily lives,” says Will Barrett, national senior director of advocacy and clean air at the American Lung Association. Aside from causing asthma attacks and other respiratory problems in children, it can also affect their brain development and test scores, he adds.

[Related: Filtering diesel exhaust could make it worse.]

Research shows that communities of color and those with a low socioeconomic status have greater exposure to air pollution. Historical redlining—the racially discriminatory policy of residential segregation during the 1930s—played a huge part in shaping systemic environmental exposure disparities in the US. It is a major factor why communities of color are exposed to higher levels of air pollution, regardless of income, in more than 200 cities today. 

The Clean Air Act of 1963, the first federal legislation regarding air pollution control, significantly improved air quality and public health over the past few decades. For instance, the national concentrations of air pollutants like carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide improved by 73 and 61 percent, respectively, between 1990 and 2020. However, despite the dramatic reductions in pollutants, more than 4 in 10 Americans today still live in places with unhealthy levels of air pollution.

“Our air is cleaner now than it used to be, thanks to improved recognition, public policy, and technology, but air pollution still kills about 100,000 people every year in the US,” says Michalek. Replacing diesel-powered school buses is a step in the right direction, which helps reduce air pollutants and health risks from diesel exhaust.

Electric and clean fuel school buses are the way to go

The Clean School Bus Program will provide $5 billion from 2022 to 2026 to replace diesel-powered school buses with zero-emission models. “What they really mean by ‘zero-emission’ is ‘no tailpipe emissions,’ and the only technology currently eligible is electric,” says Michalek. The program also supports the transition to low-emission models, which refer to buses powered by alternative fuels such as compressed natural gas or propane. 

The transition to these models can reduce community exposure to pollutants from the exhaust, GHG emissions, and maintenance and fuel costs. A 2015 study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that the adoption of clean technologies and fuels on school buses reduced children’s exposure to pollutants and improved their health.

[Related: Low-carbon energy minimizes racial disparities in neighborhoods with air pollution.]

“There is no question that replacing diesel school buses is one of the most important local actions that can be taken to protect children’s health, both for kids who ride buses, bus drivers and teachers, and for those around idling buses at schools, says Barrett. Schools with fewer resources can immediately benefit from updating diesel buses to electric ones, which could mean an overnight elimination of diesel exposure for kids, he adds.

The first funding opportunity under the program is the 2022 Clean School Bus Rebates. Online applications for the rebates already opened last month, and high-need school districts and low-income areas are considered priority applicants. Those who are selected by the EPA can already purchase new buses and submit the necessary payment request forms by October this year.

“We know that the burdens of unhealthy air aren’t shared equally, and we know that more must be done to ensure equitable access to the benefits of cleaner technologies,” says Barrett. “Kids in lower-income school districts, rural districts, and other districts in underserved communities must be prioritized for this investment.”

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