Air Purifiers We take it for granted that the air we breathe is safe in a home environment. Yet air conditioning systems and recirculation of air can cause all manner of illnesses, and may even be fatal. Esther Barney looks into the options for keeping your air onboard pure and safe.
Air conditioning is a part of superyacht life. Regulations prevent many rooms onboard having windows that can be thrown open for a blast of fresh air, nooks and crannies under the waterline receive no natural air fl ow and soaring outside temperatures rule out leaving doors open. Therefore interior crew have to rely on air conditioning units to circulate safe, fresh air. But according to the World Health Organisation, between ten and 50 per cent of people who work in fully air-conditioned offi ces experience
a range of non-specifi c symptoms that are caused by mould and bacteria, often breeding in the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems. Related illnesses include legionnaires’, immunological diseases, allergies, fatigue, headaches and runny eyes and noses. Just cleaning HVAC systems is often insuffi cient to remove all microbes; stronger measures are needed to keep the bugs at bay. A number of systems are available to yachts to purify the air. Here are a few options for keeping everyone healthy onboard.
Airfree Platinum 125
What does it kill? Mould, mildew, bacteria and viruses.
Method A standalone unit for a room requiring power supply.
How does it work? By convection action the unit pulls in contaminated air from a room (up to 51m2) and heats it to over 200°C, three times the temperature needed to kill bacteria; the room is not heated by the unit. It is useful for state rooms, reception rooms or bathrooms.
The unit reportedly kills 99.99 per cent of mould, mildew, bacteria and viruses, and reduces allergens by 98 per cent in just fi ve minutes.
Using ceramic core capillaries, there is no fi lter replacement required and there are no emissions or ions from the unit. Not suitable for rooms <11m3
.
Price Approx €300
Where can you buy it?
See www.airfree.com
for distributors or contact
lilia.abrams@airfree.com
Air Purifiers We take it for granted that the air we breathe is safe in a home environment. Yet air conditioning systems and recirculation of air can cause all manner of illnesses, and may even be fatal. Esther Barney looks into the options for keeping your air onboard pure and safe.
