Category Archives: air purifiers

Survey Reveals Employee Opinions on Workplace Indoor Air Quality

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The push for cleaner indoor air in our workplaces has been led by public health researchers, national associations and the White House, which have all recognized the role employers, contractors and consultants can play in designing and improving workplaces for better indoor air quality (IAQ).

In observance of International Day of Clean Air on Sept. 7, Fellowes Brands sought the opinions of another group: employees who share the same air at work and also share many of the same concerns about IAQ’s effects on their health and work performance.

Americans spend 90% of their time indoors on average, according to Environmental Protection Agency data. Indoor concentrations of some pollutants are often two-to-five times higher than typical outdoor concentrations, making cleaner indoor air an important focus for businesses on International Day of Clean Air.

Fellowes Brands’ survey of 1,120 American workers who work on-site and indoors for their employer covered topics ranging from employees’ evaluations of their workplaces’ IAQ, their perceptions of their employers’ action toward improving IAQ, their specific health concerns surrounding IAQ at work and their belief in clean indoor air as a right for all employees.

Finding #1 – Only about 1 in 3 respondents called their workplace air “very clean.”
Just 36% of survey respondents described the quality of the indoor air at their workplace as “very clean,” despite 60% saying their employer is taking the necessary steps to provide clean indoor air in their workplace.

The disconnect between these two data points may indicate a need for additional education among employees to better understand and advocate for the specific IAQ improvement strategies that have been proven to work against viruses, bacteria, pollutants, allergens and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Very clean air is an attainable goal for all workplaces, with the right plan that includes air purification, HVAC improvements and better ventilation.

Finding #2 – The majority of respondents are concerned about the health consequences of poor IAQ.

COVID-19 and its variants remain top of mind for American workers, with 73% of respondents saying they were at least somewhat concerned about contracting the virus as a consequence of poor IAQ at work.

The majority of survey respondents also reported being at least somewhat concerned about the following additional consequences of poor IAQ in the workplace:

  • Allergy symptoms: 71%
  • Viruses other than COVID-19: 68%
  • Headaches: 66%
  • Fatigue: 65%

The onset of COVID-19 in 2020 increased public awareness of IAQ, a workplace health and safety issue that cannot be seen but has always been present. The importance of IAQ was elevated further during the last year, as employers that operated fully remote at the onset of the pandemic began to roll out hybrid work models that brought more people together to work in person, breathing the same air.

These results indicate that COVID-19 and its variants remain the top concern, but it’s clear that employees recognize the breadth of health concerns associated with poor IAQ.

Finding #3 – Employees think they’ll be more productive with clean indoor air, and they believe it should be a workplace right.

91% of respondents agree that clean indoor air helps them perform their best at work, while 88% believe clean indoor air should be a right for all employees. Their instincts are right.

Cleaner indoor air is also linked to increased cognition and productivity, according to research led by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Most important for employers, these data points represent the partnership employees expect with their employers. Employees expect clean air at work and believe it should be a right, but in return, they expect to deliver the best possible work and results for their employers.

The Solution – Improved IAQ through Air Purification
Air purification is one of the four key components of cleaner indoor air, according to a recent Lancet COVID-19 Commission report, and it is one of the most effective and fastest-to-install defenses against COVID-19 and other viruses that can quickly spread through workplaces.

Fellowes AeraMax Pro air purifiers have helped businesses provide safe and clean indoor environments for more than a decade, using a unique four-stage True HEPA filtration system that efficiently removes airborne contaminants from enclosed spaces.

Indoor air purification with H13 True HEPA filters can remove 99.95% of viruses, bacteria, pollutants, allergens and VOCs that lead to poor IAQ and the associated health risks. Improved IAQ also lowers risk of stroke, lung cancer, respiratory disease and other health concerns.

Fellowes AeraMax Pro units are always working to improve IAQ, deploying an array of patented EnviroSmart™ self-regulating sensors, which automatically monitor a room to provide on demand air purification.

It’s also important to provide transparency that air purifiers are working. Only Fellowes AeraMax Pro air purifiers feature Pureview™, a display that shows real-time updates on air quality and machine performance, providing occupants peace of mind that the air is clean.

The Bottom Line

American workers understand the health risks of poor IAQ and the benefits of working in very clean air, based on these survey results. Employers that invest in improving their IAQ with air purification will reap rewards with a healthier, happier and more productive workforce at a time of great competition for the best talent.

Fellowes Brands Wins the Platinum for AeraMax™ Professional AM II Air Purifier

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Fellowes Brands won the platinum level ADEX award for the AeraMax™ Professional AM II air purifier. Platinum is the highest level among the ADEX nominations.

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Presented by Design Journal Magazine, the ADEX award represents the best product and project designs of the year based on the evaluation from a panel of industry experts. ADEX judges recognized the AM II for its combination of slim design and functionality. Only 4″ inches deep and with a recessed installation option, the AM II is ideal for purifying air for smaller commercial spaces. The AM II features a hospital-type filtration system including a True HEPA filter and an activated carbon filter to clean air in areas between 150-300 square feet. The patented EnviroSmart technology also detects the air quality in the surrounding environment and automatically adjusts performance.

The AeraMax Professional AM II Air Purifier is part of a broader commercial air purifier product offering from Fellowes Brands, which addresses the important issue of indoor air quality in the workplace.

Learn more about the AeraMax Pro II

Fellowes Brands Wins Excellence in Design Award for AeraMax Professional AM II Air Purifier

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award winning commercial air purifier

The AeraMax Wins the Gold

Fellowes Brands won the gold level award from Excellence in Design for the AeraMax Professional AM II Air Purifier in their 2017 competition. Judges appreciated the ease of use and visual appeal of the AM II, which won in the HVAC category primarily for its recessed design.

Only 4 inches deep, the slim profile makes the AM II ideal for purifying air for smaller commercial spaces. The AM II also features a hospital-type filtration system including a True HEPA filter and an activated carbon filter to clean air in areas between 150-300 square feet. The patented EnviroSmart technology also detects the air quality in the surrounding environment and automatically adjusts performance.

To accommodate the need for space flexibility, the AeraMax II offers options wall mountable, recessed wall mountable and floor stand options. Learn more about the AeraMax Professional AM II

The Growing Need for Commercial Air Purification

Poor indoor air quality and its impact on health are growing concerns for facility managers and wellness consultants. As a result, the commercial air purifier market continues to expand. Increasing industrial and infrastructure activities are also major driving factors of the global air purification systems market. The market is expected to reach $24.83 billion by 2024.

The AeraMax Professional AM II Air Purifier is part of a broader commercial air purifier product offering from Fellowes Brands which addresses the important issue of indoor air quality in the workplace. Learn more about the full range of Commercial Air Purification from Fellowes Brands.

About The Excellence in Design Award

The Excellence in Design Award features a prestigious panel of judges from respected industry associations evaluating entries in ten industry categories for innovation, simplicity, strong functionality for the user, and other considerations including optimized capabilities, environmental footprint, and energy and cost-savings.

Deserving entries may receive Bronze, Silver, or Gold recognition for aftermarket products the judges deem worthy of such recognition, and these products are profiled, respectively, in a special double-feature in appliance DESIGN’s June issue

Sanitizing the Air Against the Most Common Airborne Winter Illnesses

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preventing airborne germs with an air purifier

A home air purifier does more than remove odors. By running an air cleaner in the most used rooms on a regular basis during the winter, you minimize some of the common germs floating in your home during the season.

Common cold

A cold is a viral infection marked by runny nose or nasal congestion, sore throat, cough, or headache. The germs are spread through the air and personal contact. Colds are caused by many different types of viruses and can occur year round, although they are most frequent in the winter months. Children often get 10 or more colds per year!  A combination of washing hands, sanitizing common surfaces and air purification help reduce the presence of cold germs.

Influenza

Influenza comes on quickly with high fever, cough, sore throat, headache, and muscle aches and pains.  Most flu viruses are transmitted by personal contact and airborne respiratory droplets, which means a sneeze or cough can quickly and easily contaminate a closed up home for winter. Along with the annual flu vaccine, keeping hand sanitizer available and running an air purifier with a fresh filter helps reduce the spread of these pesky germs.

Croup

Croup often comes on suddenly in the middle of the night. You may wake up to your child coughing loudly. The croup cough often is described as “barking” or “like a seal”. Croup is caused by viruses that can be spread easily through coughing, sneezing, and respiratory secretions (mucus and droplets from coughing or sneezing). Children with croup should be considered contagious for three days after the illness begins or until the fever is gone. Most likely this infection will be brought home from school. To prevent it from spreading to other kids at home or yourself, air purification in the home and quarantine measures can help minimize the impact of the infection.

Strep Throat

Streptococcal bacteria are highly contagious. They can spread through airborne droplets when someone with the infection coughs or sneezes, or through shared food or drinks. Minimizing contact while the infected person recovers with antibiotics is one preventive measure against the spread of germs. Also, keeping the air clean in their bedroom or in common areas helps as well.

Why Do We Get Colds in the Winter?

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air purifiers can help with colds

 

With winter, indoor air becomes drier, leading to a greater opportunity for cold and flu germs to circulate freely. Combine this with closed up spaces and heating systems circulating dusty warm air, and you have the ideal environment for winter illnesses to thrive.

Dry indoor air itself doesn’t get you sick. But it may play a role in letting aerosol droplets from a sneeze survive and prosper. Researchers at Tianjin University in China found students in dorm rooms with poor ventilation caught more colds. Additionally, researchers at Virginia Tech found that good ventilation, as well as high indoor relative humidity, renders the influenza A virus inactive.

Dry air outdoors, as measured by absolute humidity, may also be linked to flu outbreaks. According to The National Institutes of Health (NIH), dry winter air allows the flu virus to survive and transmit itself. Additional NIH research suggests that the flu virus’ coating becomes tougher at temperatures close to freezing, making them more active, more resilient, and easier to transmit in the winter.

Here are some solutions to keep indoor air healthier.

 

  1. Open the windows every now and then. On warmer winter days, fresh air can actually kill germs, flushing them from stuffy rooms.

 

  1. Get rid of poor indoor air quality at the source. Clean air ducts and replace furnace filters regularly to ensure to prevent germs from re-circulating throughout your home all season long.

 

  1. Use air purifiers. The best air cleaners can help reduce the cold and flu virus, especially in closed spaces. Air purifiers can also safely remove 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns, including pollen, ragweed and other allergens, viruses, germs, dust mites, mold spores, pet dander and cigarette smoke-all factors that contribute to compromised lung function and make anyone in a winterized household more susceptible to airborne germs. You may want to consider certain air cleaners which feature allergy and flu settings to help during flu season and also allergy season in the spring.

 

It’s also important to know that during cold and flu season babies are more susceptible to the airborne germs circulating in your home. In fact, babies breathe an average of 30-60 times a minute-that’s more than double the amount of an adult. Considering that a baby’s lung are not yet fully developed at birth, and with their faster breathing rate, respiratory illnesses can account for the most health problems among infants. Specially designed baby air purifiers kept in a nursery can aid with reducing airborne pollutants around a young child.

Holiday Home Office Buying Guide: Four Unique Gifts

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For those on your gift list who take their home office seriously, here are some great ideas to provide comfort and productivity.

Home office

Upgrade to an Automatic Shredder

automatic shredder for home office

Enhance productivity in the home office by automating  everyday shredding needs. The AutoMax 200C Auto Feed Shredder gives that special someone on your gift list  versatile shredding performance with 200 sheet automatic shredding and 10 sheet manual shredding. The AccuFeed Technology lets them shred hands free with a 12 minute run time. They can also shred paper clips, staples, credit cards and junk mail. A great gift for anyone who needs a better shredder.

Add Professionalism and Save Money with Personal Laminating

versatile home office laminator

End the days of expensive laminated projects at the local office center. The Saturn 3i 125 Laminator is a simple DIY laminating machine that makes durable handouts, laminated business cards and dry erase charts that bring productivity to the home office for less money. This home office laminator is the ideal gift for someone who needs occasional laminating projects and also needs to save money for their home business. The Saturn 3i 125 provides rapid one minute warm-up and  a 12/1/2″ entry for versatile document size, as well as a supply kit to get them started.

 

Improve the Air of the Home Office

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With the winter months, the home office can get stuffy and with cold and flu season, germs circulate throughout the heating system. Time spent in the home office can make anyone sick, even when they try to sanitize surfaces and wash hands. After all, cold and flu germs linger in the air for a long time, making a home office air purifier a thoughtful gift. The AeraMax DX95 Air Purifier provides hospital type filtration, effectively cleaning the air in large rooms 300-600 square feet. Also the AeraSmart™ Sensor monitors the air quality and automatically adjusts the fan speed to keep air purified all the time. Look for the certified asthma and allergy friendly™ by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America stamp of approval if someone on your Christmas list needs extra protection from allergies and asthma.

 

Toast Toes in a Chilly Home Office

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Sometimes a home office can be too warm or too cold, or both depending on the weather. If you have someone on your Christmas list with complaints of cold feet, this Climate Control Footrest will be deeply appreciated. This comfy footrest fits easily under the desk and features three temperature settings: cool fan, low heat, and high heat-so it also works great on sultry summer afternoons. The fan lets you adjust workspace airflow to suit your preference and the auto-off feature prevents overheating. They will also enjoy the surface massage bumps to help soothe their feet while they work.

AeraMax Professional Air Purifier Wins Editor’s Choice Award at Rooms to Restaurants Show

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hotel air purifier

The new AeraMax Professional AM II won the 2016 Editor’s Choice Awards for Best New Product in the Technology category while at the Hotel Experience Rooms to Restaurants show. Judged by editors of leading hospitality magazines, the Editor’s Choice Awards single out notable products and achievements that serve the hospitality industry, and awarded the AM II for its innovations in air purification.

The AM II was introduced earlier this year as a complement to the other commercial air purifiers in the AeraMax Professional line. Ideal for spaces up to 300 square feet, the AM II employs the same hospital-type filtration found in the larger commercial units. The AM II was specifically designed to address indoor air quality issues in commercial spaces such as restrooms and waiting areas, small offices and medical examining rooms. For the hospitality industry, the AM II’s slim, compact design fits air purification needs for hotel and motel rooms and business and fitness areas where the constant influx of guests can contribute to poor indoor air quality.

Learn more about the AeraMax Professional AM II

See how the hospitality industry is applying air purification in this article in Lodging Magazine:Industry article

AeraMax Professional is manufactured by Fellowes Brands.  For more information visit: http://aeramaxpro.com/

Indoor Mold and Asthma Risk for Babies

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air purifier for babies

 

In a study by the Annals of Allergy & Immunology, infants exposed to mold were more likely to develop respiratory conditions such as chronic inflammation of the lung airways with symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath and coughing. For children under the age of one, mold exposure also increased the risk of asthma.  The study authors found that if children were exposed to mold as infants, they were at a significantly increased  risk for asthma at 7 years of age.

Preventing Mold in the Home

  1. Use air purifiers to cleanse the air, especially in nurseries where children sleep or playrooms where babies may spend most of their time. Only use an air purifier with a HEPA air purifier to remove mold spores from the air. Mold spores are destroyed by a HEPA filter because it is a dry, sterile environment. Also a HEPA filter with AeraSafe antimicrobial treatment provides added protection against airborne mold.
  2. Manage humidity in the home with air conditioning. Homes without AC were more likely to contain high humidity levels which fostered the growth of mold.
  3. Look for problem signs of mold throughout the house, such as leaky windows that allow condensation to collect around the frame, which can promote mold growth. An overflowing gutter causes mold to grow on the exterior of the house at first, but eventually enters the home through gaps in soffit and fascia if left untreated.
  4. Conduct a thorough cleanup after any significant water damage including flooded basements or broken pipes. Initial cleanups to remove water may seem adequate, but mold quickly grows without proper sanitation. Hire an expert to test for mold in the home after water damage. No visible signs doesn’t not necessarily mean that mold isn’t present.

Important Air Purifier Certifications

certified air purifier

When selecting an air purifier for your home, make sure they have the certifications for protecting indoor air quality.

How Commercial Air Purifiers Help Facility Managers Prepare for Flu Season

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commerical air purifiers

Managing the flu season in commercial buildings requires a combination of technology like commercial grade air purifiers, proper communication to occupants of the facility and increased sanitation efforts. Cases of the flu peak between December and February, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC estimates that between 5 percent and 20 percent of Americans catch the flu each year, with more than 200,000 people on average ending up hospitalized for flu-related conditions.

The workplace can be a breeding ground for germs as sick workers show up at the office, touch surfaces, sneeze in elevators and inevitably shake hands with others. Here are a few tips facility managers can use for minimize flu season impact.

Install commercial air purifier technology to reduce airborne germs
Installing commercial HEPA air purifiers in high traffic areas or closed spaces where meetings are held and where workers congregate can help reduce the spread of airborne flu germs. The Center for Disease Control indicates that bacteria and viruses can travel through the air. Most experts think that flu viruses are spread mainly by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. And as sneezing and coughing occur in the peak flu season, droplet nuclei (small infectious droplets produced when sneeze or cough) may remain suspended in the air for long periods of time and may be blown over great distances.

Also schedule ventilation system checks before flu season is in full swing. Check HVAC systems and bathroom ventilation systems as well to ensure they are free of debris and properly cleaned.

Communicate flu season basics to building occupants
A workplace PR campaign reminds occupants about the spread of flu germs and how to prevent them with simple measures. Post signs in restrooms and breakrooms outlining the CDC-recommended hand-washing procedure. Supplement high traffic entrances with antibacterial dispensers and post signage encouraging their use during flu season. Also, distribute facility-wide emails reminding workers to wipe down their phones and desks and other personal items to prevent the spread of germs.

Enhanced Sanitation
The CDC reminds building managers and staff that all cleaners are not the same. Some products remove germs but don’t necessarily kill germs. Also some disinfectants kill top-layer germs, but don’t necessarily clean the area. A combination of both – clean first then disinfect – is the best method for reducing the risk of the infection spreading. The CDC recommends chlorine bleach, quaternary ammonium-based cleaners and hydrogen peroxide as flu deterrents. After all, the flu virus can live and remain infectious on surfaces for 2 to 8 hours.

The AeraMax Pro AM III wins the North American Office Products Award for Innovation of the Year

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The winners of the North American Office Products Awards (NAOPA) were announced at the SP Richards (SPR) ABC show in Washington, DC, on 21 June 2016.
The awards were launched in 2010 by Office Products International (OPI) in association with SPR. Now in their seventh year, these awards set the industry standard and aim to find the best business products in North America. They were judged by a panel of leading re-sellers and the winners were announced during a packed General Session at SPR’s ABC.
Fellowes and its AeraMax Pro AM III won the award for Product Innovation of the Year.

WHY?

Absence at work because of sickness costs the US economy half a TRILLION dollars every year and much of that is caused by unhygienic workplaces. While much emphasis has been placed on surface cleaning, little has been to done tackle the problem of illness caused by airborne contaminants. At least until now.The AeraMax Pro is an essential health as well as a budgetary innovation for companies.” Steve Hilleard, CEO of OPI

What was the criteria?
Nothing determines the success of any industry more than innovation. It is the lifeblood of our sector and without it we become commoditized. These awards seek to discover the truly innovative products and ensure they receive the recognition they deserve. “Innovations” can include products, technology solutions, significant enhancements or supply chain innovations.
The judges were looking for:
• Functionality
• Design
• Originality
• Potential to generate revenue
• Excellent supporting marketing material and content, especially video.

About the AeraMax Pro III

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  • Cleans air in common areas such as schools, offices, waiting rooms, restrooms, and other areas of high concentrations of contaminants
  • True HEPA filter captures 99.97% of airborne contaminants including viruses and allergens
  • Activated carbon filter reduces odors and VOCs
  • Patented EnviroSmart technology detects the environment and automatically adjusts performance
  • Works in spaces 300-700 square feet
  • 5 Year Limited Warranty

AeraMax Professional offers commercial air purifiers for various workplace sizes. Select the best air cleaner for your work space among a variety of AeraMax Professional options.