Air filtration in production plants

Air filtration is extremely important in production plants in virtually every industry, where not only machines and devices but especially employees themselves are exposed to the harmful effects of dust and pollution. Check why air filtration is so important and what effect it has on employee health.

Why is air filtration so important?

Dust and pollen contamination can be very troublesome and pose a major problem in manufacturing plants. Unwanted particles of contamination can adversely affect materials or finished products, which results in lower quality. What is worse, high concentrations of contaminants in a closed facility can result in the risk of fires. Employees are also at high risk due to long-term stays in places where the air is polluted.

What impact does this have on employee health?

High dust concentrations in manufacturing plants, warehouses or other facilities can have a highly adverse effect on healthy employees. From a number of diseases that may result from long-term exposure to dust and other contaminants to skin and eye irritations. Symptoms of irritation in the eyes and skin can be quite diverse depending on the composition of dust present in the polluted air. In the case of the skin, there is a risk of inflammation and ulceration on its surface, and sometimes even cancerous changes.

What potential diseases could pose a threat to employees?

Prolonged exposure to and inhalation of dusty air may cause illnesses and ailments in employees such as:

• asthma
• breathing problems
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• pneumonia
• heart disease
• tumors

Recommended products for this type of establishment

Both employees and machines in manufacturing plants need clean air to work, and industrial air filters can provide it. These types of filters are the most popular protection against pollution that threatens industrial processes and are divided into:

• Intake air filters

It is extremely important to use ventilation filters when air enters production plants where employees are located. Such filters include, among others, cassette filters, pocket filters and filter mats. These filters, often with a lower purification class, are intended for rooms where the highest level of air purity is not required. The next group of filters includes HEPA and ULPA filters, which are intended for air filtration in rooms where a very high level of air purity is required, e.g. laboratories or operating rooms.

• Exhaust air filters

Exhaust air filters are designed to protect the environment from pollutants escaping from production plants. This type of filter is divided into: "dry" dust filters, cartridge filters, cassette filters, cyclone filters, bag filters, electrostatic filters and oil mist filters. The most commonly used filters include cartridge filters and bag filters.

• Compressed air filters

Compressed air filters are part of the process air filter group. These are elements that are responsible for inhibiting solid contamination particles of the order of 0.01 µm, contained in the compressed air that flows through them. Compressed air plays a very important role in the production process. Properly selected filters protect machines and tools, reduce service costs and increase efficiency in production plants.