WeldAir - Mobile Welding Fume Extractor

WeldAir - Mobile Welding Fume Extractor

Ideal for Manufacturing and Fabrication, Maintenance and Repairs, Training Facilities
MIG (GMAW) · TIG (GTAW) · Stick (SMAW) · Oxy Fuel

Highlights

· 360º Easy to Use Capture Arm
· High Air Flow · Low Pressure Drop
· Washable Cartridge Filter
· Energy Efficient
· Low Operating Costs
· ETL Approved to UL507 and CSA 22.2

WeldAir Multi-stage Filtration System

Mobile and powerful source capture welding fume extractor, removes hazardous fumes from the work area without contaminating the surroundings.

The highly-efficient multi-stage filtration system includes: internal aluminum mesh spark arrestor, pre-filter wrap,  washable filter for sub-micron particles down to 0.2 microns, capture tray for larger particles and optional carbon filter.

The washable cartridge filter reduces the need  for frequent filter replacement and minimizes operating costs.

Easy access to the filtration system allows the user to perform any maintenance task without any formal training.

Key Features

· Maneuverability. Heavy-duty casters allow for easy movement between work areas
· Filter Life. Cleanable / washable cartridge filter reduces operational costs
· Extended Fume Capture Area. 360-degree, easy to operate, low resistance extraction arms (7’ or 10’)
· Increased Productivity. High capacity debris tray and tool-free filter replacement reduce downtime
· Quiet Operation. Only 58 dBA and additional sound attenuation available if required

Welding Fume Extractor Source Capture Arm

Efficient Fume Extraction

Flexible and completely free from internal mechanisms, the unit’s fume extraction arm is ideal for welding operations.

The unobstructed airflow inside the arm guarantees maximum efficiency and capture velocity, lowest pressure drop and eliminates the build-up of particulate matter reducing maintenance costs.

Designed and built to last, the arms offer unparalleled performance for a wide range of welding applications.

Download WeldAir Brochure

1-877-9-QUATRO
http://www.quatroair.com/

The tragedy at Burns Lake sawmill could have been prevented...

Burns Lake sawmill explosion and fire

B.C. Premier Christy Clark has ordered a review of the investigation into the Babine Forest Products sawmill explosion and fire in Burns Lake, B.C., that claimed two lives and injured 20 others in January 2012.

The long-awaited WorkSafeBC report released Thursday finds the disaster could have been prevented if mill management had been doing its job.

No criminal charges are being laid, however. Last week, Crown counsel revealed it would not bring charges against the owners of the mill, saying WorkSafeBC's investigation didn't follow the rules for conducting criminal investigations and as a result a large amount of evidence would have to be thrown out.

Clark says the people of Burns Lake deserve an explanation.

"That's why I've asked the head of the BC Civil Service, Deputy Minister John Dyable, to review the case  — to review the fact pattern, come back and give us the facts so that we know and understand what happened with the investigation and the decisions around it."

[Read the rest of the article]
[Read the full WorkSafe B.C. report]

Extreme air pollution hits NE China

Harbin, October 22, 2013. [Photo: Xinhua]

Heavy smog engulfed northeast China this week, forcing schools closures, and disrupting flights and highways. Visibility in the northeastern city of Harbin was severely reduced and the authorities issued alerts for thick smog or fog.

Officials indicated three major causes of the recent environmental crisis: pollution from coal-burning heating systems; farmers' burning crop stalks; and unfavorable weather.
All monitoring stations in the region reported readings above 200 for PM2.5 indicating severe pollution, eight times higher than safe levels recommended by the World Health Organization.

Harbin is famous for its ice and snow festival which attracts a large number of visitors every year, but the city's frigid winter means that heating is needed for six months of the year. Pushed by big variations in temperatures between day and night and the start of the winter heating season the coal-fueled heating systems are suspected to be trigger of this week events.

While Harbin's recent air pollution issues made the headlines worldwide this week, the situation is not isolated as many cities in Northern China rank among the most polluted in the world.
The Chinese authorities issued earlier this week an educational guide to inform the population on the health risks caused by environmental pollution and ways to minimize the exposure to airborne contaminants.

The Peking Union Medical College and the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention recently released a study suggesting that outdoor and indoor air pollution are the fourth- and fifth-biggest disease-causing factors in China.

Air is one of the essential ingredients for good health and poor air quality, outdoors and indoors, can damage our health. While the outdoor pollution has global effects that affect us all, it is relatively difficult for individuals to reduce their exposure to airborne contaminates.

As indicated by numerous studies on human exposure to air pollutants, the concentrations of air pollutants may be 2 to 5 times (and up to 100 times) higher indoors than outdoors. Indoor air pollutants have been listed among the top five environmental risks to public health and during the cold season when homes, schools and offices are sealed up to conserve energy, the problem can be magnified.

Advanced Air Purification Solutions

Quatro Air Technologies offers efficient, cost-effective air purification systems for residential, commercial and industrial applications. With a dedicated team of IAQ experts, Quatro Air Technologies offers customized solutions for your specific IAQ challenges.

Contact us today: 1.877.978.2876

World Health Organization: “Air pollution causes lung cancer”

Image courtesy of GREENPEACE (www.greenpeace.org)

Last week, the International Agency for Research on Cancer added air pollution on the list of known carcinogens, alongside asbestos, tobacco and UV radiation. Scientifically proven by an expert panel organized by the IARC, the air pollution is now considered the most important environmental carcinogen, surpassing second-hand smoking.

While some of the airborne pollutants such as vehicle exhaust fumes were already classified as carcinogens, this is the first time when air pollution as a whole is added to the list of known carcinogens.

The new classification is the result of over 1000 studies worldwide. Analyzed by the scientists, the studies provided enough evidence that exposure to air pollutants, a complex mixture of gases and fine particulate matter, can cause lung cancer and lead to or exacerbate heart and respiratory conditions.

According to IARC, in 2010 alone over 200000 lung cancer deaths and more than 3.2 million of premature deaths were linked to air pollution.

While it is almost impossible to avoid exposure to outdoor air pollutants such as emissions from motor vehicles, industrial processes and power generation, the fact that we spend up to 90 percent of our time indoors lowers the health risks.

Common signs and symptoms of exposure to polluted air include: headaches, fatigue, shortness of breath, worsening allergy and asthma symptoms, sinus congestion, cough, and sneezing, eye, nose, throat, and skin irritation, dizziness and nausea.

Understanding and controlling some of the common pollutants found indoors can help improve your well-being and reduce the risk of health concerns related to indoor air quality (IAQ).

With over 20 years of experience in air purification, Quatro Air Technologies offers efficient, cost-effective solutions to reduce your exposure to airborne pollutants. Our multi-stage air purifiers equipped with various combinations pre-filters, HEPA filters and chemical filters eliminate harmful chemicals, odors and 99.97% of airborne particles.
Contact us to learn more: 1.877.978.2876.

Possible Dangers of Spray Foam Insulation (SPF)

Due to its excellent thermal insulation properties, spray polyurethane foam (SPF) has become one of the most popular and effective insulation solutions for builders and homeowners trying to build energy efficient houses. Spray polyurethane foam (SPF) is a dual component air sealant and insulation material which expands in a way that seals irregular gaps and crevices to provide an effective barrier against air infiltration.

However, its key ingredient, isocyanates such as MDI (methylene diphenyl diisocyanate), and other SPF chemicals are highly reactive chemicals and dermal or respiratory exposure to these compounds, can cause adverse health effects such as: contact dermatitis, skin, eye and respiratory tract irritation, asthma, sensitization, lung damage, respiratory and breathing problems. Isocyanates have been reported to be the leading attributable chemical cause of work-related asthma.

Sensitization due to exposure to isocyanates can trigger severe and potentially deadly asthma attacks if re-exposed even at very low concentrations.

When SPF (Spray Polyurethane Foam) is applied, both the ingredients and the byproducts of the process involve potentially toxic emissions.

In addition to the presence of MDI in the product, the chemical reaction and curing of SPF can produce other chemicals of concern: aldehydes, amine catalysts, and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

In 1996, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) issued an alert, following reports of disease and deaths following occupational exposure to diisocyanates.

Data from recent studies indicate that cancer is associated with exposure to commercial-grade TDI (toluene diisocyanate), the results meeting the OSHA criteria for classifying a substance as a potential carcinogen.

The carcinogenic effects of isocyanates were also investigated by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), both organizations reaching the same conclusion: isocyanates should be treated as potential human carcinogens.

In the recent years a steep increase in the number of complaints about adverse health effects from homeowners and occupants of office buildings where SPF has been applied prompted national and local agencies to take a variety of actions to address risks posed by exposure to isocyanates.

Quatro Air Technologies (1.877.978.2876) offers highly efficient air purification systems designed remove airborne contaminants from residential, commercial and industrial environments.

Work on a rail tunnel in Toronto leaves residents covered in dust

Metrolinx, the agency coordinating and integrating all modes of transportation in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, is continuously expanding its transit network. One particular project that has received media attention recently is the work on the rail tunnel for the Union Pearson Express, an airport rail link service that will run between Canada's two busiest transportation hubs: Union Station in Downtown Toronto and Toronto Pearson International Airport.

The residents of Weston, a neighborhood in the northwest end of Toronto, are facing new challenges this summer: the constant rumble of trucks, excavators and other heavy machineries, their exhaust gases and the dust. A thick layer of dust covering everything and making its way inside buidings.

The constant noise and the dust affected the residents and the business community, raising concerns about the air quality.

With dust particles infiltrating homes and offices, the lungs are constantly exposed to danger. The effects of inhaled particles depend on the properties of the particles themselves, their size and their chemical composition.

Particle size is a critical factor that determines where in the respiratory tract that particle may be deposited. Chemical composition is important because aside from their potential toxicity, some substances can also impair the ability of the lungs to clear themselves.

A major concern to local communities is the risk of exposure to crystalline silica contained in airborne dust present on construction sites. Any activities involving cutting, breaking, crushing, drilling, grinding or blasting of sand, rock or stone, clay, concrete, masonry and paint may produce fine silica dust. The silicon dioxide (SiO2) in its crystalline form poses a serious health hazard and it is linked to silicosis, a disabling and irreversible lung condition. The silicon dioxide has also been classified as a Group I carcinogen (Carcinogenic to Humans) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

Chronic silicosis is a cumulative and sometimes fatal condition, with symptoms including shortness of breath, cough and weakness. Affected individuals frequently experience fever, weight loss, chest pains and eventually respiratory failure. Exposure to crystalline silica has also been linked to lung cancer, reduced lung function and kidney disease.

Despite being recognized as a significant health hazard, over the last 20 years an estimated 15,000 people have died from the effects of silicosis in the United States alone.

Unfortunately, the common methods for controlling construction site dust emissions (surface wetting and airborne capture) are generally limited, helping reduce the amount of dust but unable to completely eliminate it.

Using a high quality air purifier unit can improve air quality and reduce the health risks.
The BioScan Series of office and residential air purifiers engineered by Quatro Air Technologies  (1.877.978.2876) use medical grade HEPA filters and activated carbon filters to clean the air and reduce the risk associated with poor indoor air quality.

Clean Air for the Printing Industry

Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net

A fast-paced, deadline-driven sector, the printing industry is a major contributor to the global economy.

“Commercial printing is Canada’s longest established and most widely dispersed information technology-based manufacturing industry. Canada’s printing industry accounts for 8.11% of all manufacturing industry in the nation. In 2011 the Canadian printing industry employed 58,469 individuals. There are about 6,724 establishments across the country and which are primarily Canadian-owned.
In 2011 these employees produced over $8.4 billion worth of shipments, $918 million of which was in export sales. With a gross output multiplier of 1.65, the industry will generate an additional $5.47 billion in other sectors of the Canadian economy.” Canadian Printing Industries Sector Council

Many print shop workers face a significant risk of  injury or illness due to their constant exposure to chemical hazards involved in the printing processes such as cleaning solvents, inks, lacquers, spray powder, paper dust, ozone from the UV curing lights. Even though chemical hazards are prevalent due to the use of specific compounds, biological hazards in form of viruses, fungi, bacteria and mold have been linked to a extensive array of health issues.

Deletion fluids containing hydrofluoric acid (toxic and corrosive compound) are occasionally  used to make minor alterations to printing plates. These products are harmful if skin or eye contact occurs leading to skin burns and eye damage. Extremely dangerous if inhaled or swallowed,  the hydrofluoric acid could cause severe respiratory tract irritation.

Ozone, a gas produced during the high voltage electrical discharge in photocopiers and laser printers, is another highly toxic pollutant. In normal conditions, ozone breaks down in air rapidly, but the process can be slowed down by high humidity and temperature. Adverse health effects include eye, nose, throat and lung irritation, dermatitis, headaches and nausea, premature aging, and potential reproductive dangers. Itching, can occur on the face, neck and areas of skin exposed to ozone. When mixed with nitrogen oxide produced when there is a spark in electrostatic photocopiers. ozone can also have an effect on the central nervous system.

The VOCs (volatile organic compounds) generated during the photocopying and laser printing processes can contain traces of decane (carcinogenic), 1,1,1- trichloroethane (can cause skin irritation), iso-octane, toluene (causes fatigue, drowsiness, throat and eye irritation), xylene (can cause menstrual disorder and kidney failure), and benzene (carcinogenic and potential teratogenic).

The drums inside certain printers and copiers might contain selenium or cadmium sulphide. The hot gases emitted from these materials might  cause throat irritation and to exposed workers and short-term exposure to high levels of selenium by ingestion causes nausea, vomiting, skin rashes and rhinitis.

The health effects of carbon monoxide produced when toner (containing carbon black) is heated in poorly ventilated conditions the effects include headaches, drowsiness, faintness and increased pulse rate. Toners, a mixture of plastic resin and carbon black, are classified as a nuisance dust (mildly toxic in itself) but contains impurities known to be carcinogens.

The indoor use of propane or gasoline-fueled equipment such as forklifts has been linked to carbon monoxide exposure in workers. Carbon monoxide (CO), an odorless, colorless gas, can cause sudden illness and death when high concentrations accumulates in a contained, poorly ventilated space.

Quatro Air Technologies (1.877.978.2876 ) has served the print industry for the past 19 years, providing numerous printer manufacturers and print shops with solutions adapted to their specific needs. Visit our website for details.

Protect your health. Breathe clean air.

Image by Soledad Martinez via publicdomainpictures.net

28000 times a day our lungs fill up with a mixture of oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, water and other trace gases. Every time we breathe we also inhale the particles polluting the air.

According to recent studies, we spend about 90 percent of our time indoors, in the office, at the gym but mostly at home. Having a healthy home becomes thus a serious issue.

Scientific research has shown that poor indoor air has a detrimental impact on our health, depending on the level of exposure and a person's immune system, from a general sense of discomfort to allergies, asthma and chronic conditions. Children, the elderly and people already suffering from pulmonary or cardiovascular disease are more vulnerable to the effects of air pollution.

At the workplace, poor air quality may reduce concentration and attendance affecting the productivity and performance. In most cases, the following symptoms were linked to poor air quality:

• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Dryness and irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and skin
• Headache
• Allergies
• Sinus congestion
• Coughing and sneezing
• Dizziness and nausea

Statistics have shown that the number of people affected by air pollution is comparable with those affected by obesity and lack of exercise and greater than those affected by traffic accidents and infectious diseases.

Indoor air quality is affected by numerous contaminants:

• Off-gassing from building materials, furniture (dust, fiberglass, asbestos, gases, formaldehyde)
• Airborne allergens (pollen, hair, dander and litter dust from pets)
• Off-gassing from household chemicals, solvents, glues (toxic vapors, volatile organic compounds, VOCs)
• Excessive moisture from cooking, bathing and laundering (microbial contaminants, fungi, molds, bacteria)
• Emissions from electronic equipment and appliances (ozone)

Indoor air quality has become an important health and safety concern and regulatory agencies such as OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration in the U.S.) and CCOHS (Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety) recommend the implementation of IAQ management systems at the workplace.

If you think poor indoor air is affecting you, Quatro Air Technologies has a solution for you. Call us at 1-877-978-2876 or visit our website.

Positive Forecast for China’s Air Purifiers Market

Image courtesy of Kevin Dooley,Chandler, AZ

With one of the fastest growing economies in the world, China’s manufacturing sector has a severe impact on the air quality across most of its regions.

Set in motion by the growing social discontent, the Chinese government is planning to invest over 270 billion dollars over the next 4 years to control and reduce air pollution in the most affected areas, especially in the north of the country, targeting major urban areas like Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei province.

According to the state-run media, the Airborne Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan, approved last, month aims to reduce air emissions by 25 percent by 2017.

China’s unprecedented economic growth over the last decades has depended heavily on fossil fuels as source of energy.

However, the growth came with a very high price. In the 2010 Global Burden of Disease (GDB) published in the British medical journal "The Lancet," air pollution is highlighted as a major contributory factor to about 1.2 million premature deaths in China, in 2010 alone.

The effects of poor air quality on human health affect mainly the respiratory and the cardiovascular systems.  The reactions to air pollutants depend on the type of pollutant, the degree of exposure, and the individual's health.

The health effects caused by air pollutants may include difficulty breathing, wheezing, coughing and aggravation of existing respiratory and cardiac conditions, resulting in increased medication use, doctor or emergency room visits and even premature death.

Backed by a solid knowhow in industrial air purification, dust and emissions control, Quatro Air Technologies offers effective solutions for residential air purification.

Contact us at 1-877-978-2876 to learn more about our residential air purifiers.