A Study of the Portable High Efficiency Air Filtration Device

The portable high efficiency air filtration (PHEAF) device is used to control particulate matter (PM) generated from construction-type activities occurring within the built environment. Examples of activities where PHEAF devices are mobilized include building renovation, asbestos abatement, remediation of microbial contamination and lead-based paint projects. Designed for use on short-term, temporary projects the PHEAF device captures airborne PM using a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. This study sought to evaluate the capture efficiency of the PHEAF device in a field setting. An aerosol generator and photometer were used to measure particle penetration through 85 PHEAF devices. Average overall capture efficiency ranged from 41.78% to ≥99.97% with more than 88% of the tests failing to achieve 99.97% capture efficiency. Approximately 73% of the PHEAF device sample population failed to demonstrated HEPA performance criteria during any test round. Higher occurrence of PM concentrations measured around the perimeter of the filter suggested the presence of bypass leakage. While PHEAF devices were effective in capturing a significant quantity of aerosol test agent, these findings suggest that routine testing of the PHEAF device should be conducted to validate performance.

Author

• Newcomer, Derek

Language

• en

Keyword

• HEPA filter leak test
• portable high efficiency air filtration device
• air scrubber
• negative air machine
• asbestos abatement
• mold remediation

Date created

• 2018

Type of Work

• Dissertation

License

• All rights reserved

Rights statement

• In Copyright

GW Unit

• Public Health

Degree

• Dr.P.H.

Advisor

• LaPuma, Peter

Committee Member(s)

• Northcross, Amanda
• Brandys, Robert

Persistent URL

•  https://scholarspace.library.gwu.edu/etd/sn009x92z