Businesses, school districts use air purifiers against COVID

An air purification system is gaining usage in the greater Treasure Valley area amidst the continuing pandemic and, in some cases, government incentive funding.

Global Plasma Solutions has developed a technology that is described as, essentially, rendering pathogens — including coronavirus and SARS — inactive, using needlepoint bipolar ionization. The devices are typically installed in multiple locations throughout a building’s HVAC system.

Norbryhn Equipment Co., a Nampa-based company, has partnered to install the product in schools, government buildings and businesses. The company is an HVAC industry partner used by “engineering consultants, building owners and the contractor community.”

One school district that has installed this technology is the McCall-Donnelly School District. Jason Clay, director of operations, had been looking into air purification system options to help fight COVID-19, including HEPA filters in individual classroom spaces.

The school district received some government funding to help with the purchase and installation of an air purification system, according to Clay, and it cost approximately $68,900.

Clay ultimately recommended Global Plasma Solutions’ bipolar ionization device because “financially speaking, the ionization made better sense,” he said, and hepa filters were coming out with a recommended ionization element.

“So, it made sense; the ionizer was real,” Clay said.

Prior to installing the ionization product from Global Plasma Solutions, Clay had tested the amount of particulate matter in several classrooms. Once adding the air purification system, he said, the amount of particulate matter noticeably dropped.

“We decided the science behind it was real,” Clay said.

“We’re willing to do what it takes to keep our staff and students safe within reasonable financial constraints of course,” he added. “I think we’re doing a great job of that.”

The Record Exchange, a longstanding downtown Boise business, has also installed the device — four throughout the store. Store owner Michael Bunnell said he and others in the downtown business community were looking into options, and Bunnell talked with the owner of Idaho Mountain Touring, who had the Global Plasma Solutions device installed and was pleased with it.

The bipolar ionization devices cost the Record Exchange approximately $3,700, which Bunnell said he was fine with paying.

“All that made pretty good sense in the world we live in now,” he said. “I want everybody to feel secure and know we’re trying our best to be incredibly safe here. I think this system here is the next step.”

What this tech could mean for the future

As Idaho is in Stage 3 of reopening and thousands of residents are being vaccinated against COVID-19, the question of what place this technology has in the future arises.

Clay touts reduction of smoke particulates during fire season, and Bunnell said his staff have noticed a positive difference, such as in dust reduction during their shifts at the store.

The bipolar ionization devices are also supposed to reduce odors, mold spores and other virus transmission (such as the flu). Essentially, with this technology, users get higher filtration in their air systems.

“This is something (people) can use now, but (will) also bring benefit for 10, 15 years to come,” said Dan Russell, with Norbryhn Equipment Co.

Charlie Waddell, founder and chief technology officer for Global Plasma Solutions, added this technology will likely be recommended for and incorporated in future building plans, and possibly even standard in industry.

The technology is also described as being able to auto clean, and as not requiring replacement parts. Currently, devices last over 12 years, Waddell said.

To ensure the devices are working properly, Russell said a handheld ion counter can be used at different reference points, such as at the device, in the air system and at “breathing level” in a space. The target is 3,000 to 7,000 ions per cubic centimeter.

Waddell added that, for larger systems, automatic counting devices could be installed, which would also provide real time data.

Global Plasma Solutions and Norbryhn Equipment Co. are planning to offer informational presentations, possibly town-hall style, in the future for the community. Those interested in participating and who want to stay connected to the companies are invited to contact Norbryhn Equipment Co. at [email protected].

The Environmental Protection Agency states that, when used properly and with other best practices recommended, such as by the CDC, air purifiers and HVAC filters can help reduce airborne contaminants and the transmission of COVID-19.

Air purifiers “may be particularly helpful when additional ventilation with outdoor air is not possible without compromising indoor comfort (temperature or humidity), or when outdoor air pollution is high.”

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare stated that, at this time, it has not published any specific COVID-19-related HVAC recommendations or guidance in addition to what the CDC currently recommends. The CDC offers recommendations at cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/ventilation.html.