Effectiveness of Austin HealthMate Against Biological Threats

Austin HealthMate Removes Biological Threats

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In the wake of the tragic events of September 11, 2001, and in response to the resulting concern about biological threats to U.S. citizens, we have compiled some information on the effectiveness of the Austin Air HealthMate Air Cleaners in dealing with airborne biological threats.

The following is a summary of an April 27, 2000, report commissioned by the United States Army entitled, 'Test Report for the System Effectiveness of Home/Commercial Portable Room Air Cleaners.' The purpose of this test was to determine the effectiveness of commercially available air cleaners at removing contaminant vapor (simulant) from a sealed room. The reduction in the amount of vapor contamination after the use of the air cleaner was measured.

The Austin HM400 was tied for the most effective commercial filter unit in reducing the simulant vapor according to the report. The Austin HM400 reduced the vapor concentration by 90% in less than 35 minutes. Over 100 units were studied.

'The Honeywell 11200, the Austin HM400, AllerAir 4000, and the Dust Free were the most effective of the commercial filter units in reducing the simulant vapor dosage within the test room.'

'The HW11200 and (Austin) HM400 tied for best performance.'

UNCLASSIFIED
Contract No. SPO900-94-D-0002
Task No. 491

TEST REPORT

SYSTEM EFFECTIVENESS TEST OF HOME/COMMERCIAL PORTABLE ROOM AIR CLEANERS

to
U.S. ARMY SOLDIER, BIOLOGICAL CHEMICAL COMMAND

27 April 2000

By

Charles Janney
Michael Janus, P.E.
Leo F. Saubier
Jeffrey Widder, Ph.D.

BATTELLE
2012 Tollgate Road, Suite 206
Bel Air, Maryland 21015

UNCLASSIFIED

Executive Summary

The objective of this test was to determine the relative effectiveness of a number of previously-selected, commercially-available recirculating home air filtration units at removing contaminant vapor (simulant) from a sealed room. In this test, a simulant vapor was introduced directly inside a test room, in a controlled and reproducible manner, so that the dosage reduction due to each of the air purifiers could be measured.

The test room was constructed to represent a sealed interior room. It was approximately 5 1/2 ft. wide, 7 1/2 ft. long, and 8 ft. high, made of wood, caulked, sealed, and epoxy painted. The room was instrumented and controlled from a computer console outside.

In the test, a filter unit was placed in the test room, and methyl salicylate vapor was generated. When the vapor concentration reached approximately 0.1mg/cubic meter, the filter unit was activated, and the vapor concentration reduction measured and recorded for one hour. This process was repeated three times for each of 9 filter unit designs, three times with no filter unit present (to establish a baseline), and three times using a U.S. Army standard M20 filter unit. One of the filter units was tested two additional times, but with it relocated to different places within the test room.

The filter units were effective in removing the simulant vapor from the test room. Most of the units reduced the vapor concentration by more than 90% during the first hour of operation. The most effective units, however, accomplished the 90% reduction in less than 35 minutes, and reduced the 1-hour dosage (concentration X time) in the room from 5.0 mg-min/cubic meter to approximately 1.5 mg-min/cubic meter.

The Honeywell 11200, the Austin HM400, AllerAir 4000, and the Dust Free were the most effective of the commercial filter units in reducing the simulant vapor dosage within the test room. It was found that its vapor reduction effectiveness was not appreciably influenced by its location in the test room.

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