FUNDAMENTALS OF INDOOR AIR QUALITY (IAQ)

WHAT IS VOC?

VOC is Volatile Organic Compound. Interior of modern buildings is infested with wide range of Organic and Hydrocarbon gases, released from synthetically produced interior furnishings such as carpets, curtains, ceiling tiles, paint, fabric protective coatings and
cleaning aids. Occupants contributed VOC include cigarette smoke, body odor, deodorant, food odor. Outdoor air intake to HVAC System may introduce automotive and industrial effluents and odor, common in Downtown and Industrial locations. Continuous presence of VOC, even in
low concentrations, adversely affect Indoor Air Quality, as occupants breathe them continuously. Many Indoor VOC are classified toxic, carcinogenic or carcinogen promoters. Some are odorous. Some irritate mucous membranes. VOC should be reduced significantly for safety,
health and long term care of occupants.Ruks Engineered Ozone System eliminates or reduces dramatically VOC.

WHAT IS ODOR?

Odor is detection and interpretation of a specific organic gas, by human olfactory senses. All odor is caused by chemicals. Some odorous gases are toxic and or carcinogenic, example benzene (gasoline), toluene, and methane. Not all odor are harmful, nor all harmful gases odorous. Yet, all odor are classified as VOC within the realm of IAQ. Odor may exist as transient odor – odor that lasts just as long as the activity causing it lasts, or resident odor – odor causing chemicals retained in cellulose substances such as carpets, ceiling tiles, and furniture fabric, and released at all times. No system eliminates resident odor except Engineered Ozone System. There are no known units to quantify odor, except human judgment.
Ruks Engineered Ozone System eliminates or reduces Transient and Resident Odor.

WHAT IS CO2?

CO2 is Carbon Dioxide. Common sources of CO2 in indoor space are exhalation by occupants, migration from outdoor air, and coal or wood burning heaters. CO2 is not a VOC, not a carcinogen, not a carcinogen promoter, nor is it toxic. However, it is
important to ensure CO2 concentration is not high. At elevated levels, CO2 causes reduced concentration, fatigue, loss of productivity and lethargy. Permissible level of CO2 for most applications is 1000 PPM by ASHRAE and OSHA.

WHY DO HVAC SYSTEMS PROMOTE GROWTH OF FUNGI?

Conditions prevalent in air handling units and air ducts such as temperature, humidity, moisture on cooling coil and drain pan, and porous surface of duct lining are congenial for growth and propagation of mold and fungi. Through air vents, they enter indoor space. Fungi cause allergies, breathing disorders, irritation and loss of concentration. Ruks Engineered Ozone System eliminates or reduces dramatically Mold & Fungi.

WHY DO HVAC SYSTEMS PROMOTE GROWTH OF AIR BORNE BACTERIA?

Mold and Fungi are living organisms and form source of food and nutrients upon which air borne bacteria grow and propagate. Legionella bacteria is one example. Through air vents, they enter indoor space and expose occupants to these. Elimination of mold and fungi in AC ducts and cooling coil eliminates or reduces air borne bacteria. Ruks Engineered Ozone System eliminates or reduces air borne bacteria in AC ducts and Cooling Coil.

WHY DOES DUST ACCUMULATE IN AC DUCTS?

Force of adhesion is necessary for any particulate to adhere to any surface. In AC ducts, this is provided by bio adhesive force contributed by mold and fungi. If these are eliminated or reduced, dust particulates do not have the force to stick to duct surface. Ducts remain clean at all times. Ruks Engineered Ozone System keeps AC ducts and Cooling Coil free of dust and particulate Contaminant.

WHAT IS OZONE?

Ozone is 3 atom molecule of oxygen with weak bonds. It is a powerful oxidizing agent. It is an unstable gas and reverts quickly to diatomic oxygen molecule or O2. When present with VOC, it
oxidizes them. In the presence of ozone, VOC is subject to continuous oxidation, transforming it into several transient gases. Resultant gases are totally harmless or less harmful. Total VOC is dramatically reduced. Odor is result of VOC. As VOC are removed, odor is almost completely
eliminated. Net result is indoor space with significantly reduced VOC, odor and smoke.

OZONE AND FUNGI:

Fungi propagate by absorbing ambient oxygen, by process of osmosis. Ozone, with oxygen, enters through outer membranes of cells of fungi. Ozone oxidizes the organic matter in fungi. This retards cell multiplication and propagation of fungi. Gradually, their colonies diminish. In the presence of Ozone, fungi will not recultivate. Low residual ozone concentration generated in Ruks Engineered Ozone System does not function as fungicide. It eliminates fungi by gradually decolonizing them. Elimination of mold and fungi deprives food and nutrients for air
borne bacteria to grow and propagate in duct and coil. Without adequate supply of food, bacteria do not grow in ducts and coil.

WHAT ARE THE PRECAUTIONS?

Ozone is beneficial in reducing VOC, Odor and depleting fungi. It is very important to ensure residual level of ozone does not exceed regulatory maximum permissible level.

CAN OZONE REDUCE CO2?

Ozone cannot remove or reduce CO2, as CO2 is not oxidizable. Conventional method of limiting CO2 buildup in indoor environment is by diluting with outdoor air with low CO2 content.