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]

Clean Air For MCS Sufferers

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity

Introduced by T.G. Randolph in 1954, the term "chemical sensitivity" described the inability of the adaptive mechanism of the body to handle the intake of common environmental chemicals leading to allergic reactions. The condition, rejected at that time by the majority of academic physicians, was also referred as Chemical Injury or Environmental Illness. In 1987, Mark R. Cullen introduced the term "multiple chemical sensitivity" in journals of occupational medicine starting a long-lasting debate over chemical sensitivities.

In the last decade physicians noticed an increased number of what appears to be symptoms of allergic reactions in the general population. Difficulties in breathing, rashes, congestion, nausea, rashes, and others have been linked to non-naturally occurring chemicals in the environment.

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) is an adverse physical reaction to low levels of many common chemicals. The National Institute of Health has defined MCS as a “chronic recurring disease caused by a person’s inability to tolerate an environmental chemical or class of foreign chemicals.”

Many MCS sufferers react to airborne chemicals such as solvents, smoke, diesel, pet fur, dander or personal care products and complain of severe sensitivity or allergic reactions when exposed to very low levels of those pollutants.

The symptoms, triggers and diagnostic uncertainties of MCS are very similar with other health conditions where the environment is the common denominator. One such example is the "sick building syndrome” (SBS) where complaints like headache, decreased impulsion and irritation of the mucous membranes appear simultaneously in several persons in a building.

While it is very difficult to pinpoint the exact cause,  a wide range of possible triggers such as improper ventilation, offgassing of chemicals from building materials and maintenance products, bad odors, infrasound or unfavorable illumination have been linked to MCS symptoms.

Many symptoms of MCS are similar to other health conditions but the most common reactions include:

• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Disorientation
• Dizziness and Faintness
• Flu-like symptoms
• Nausea
• Irregular or Rapid Heartbeat
• Muscle and Joint Pain
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Mood Disturbances - Depression/Anxiety/Irritability
• Short-term Memory Problems
• Asthma/Breathing Problems
• Rashes

MCS reactions could be triggered by various chemicals, from perfume to vehicle exhaust, hydrocarbon based volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) being the common ingredients.
The most common chemicals linked to MCS symptoms are:

• Pesticides (DDT, chlordane, lindane and dieldrin)
• Exhaust fumes (carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, benzene, formaldehyde, polycyclic hydrocarbons, suspended particles)
• Perfumes (benzaldehyde, benzyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, camphor, ethanol, ethyl acetate, limonene, linalool, a-pinene, g-terpinene and a-terpineol)
• Paint fumes (acetone, toluene, xylene, formaldehyde, benzene derivatives)
• Household Cleaning Products (diethyl phthalate, toluene, hexane, xylene)
• Personal care products (cocoamide DEA, propylene glycol, sodium lauryl sulfate, acetone, benzaldehyde)
• Furniture and carpets (acetone, toluene, xylene, formaldehyde, benzene derivatives)
• Cigarette smoke (ammonia, acetaldehyde, acetone, benzene, butyraldehyde, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, hydrogen cyanide, nitric oxide and toluene)

MCS is a serious condition because of its physiological symptoms and social effects. MCS sufferers tend to become more isolated as they avoid being around people wearing perfume or deodorant, or in spaces where chemicals are used frequently for cleaning or maintenance.  People affected by MCS could lose their jobs due to their sensitivity to the chemicals in the work environment. Relationships could also be affected as the partner can’t understand or adapt to living without common chemical products.

Quatro Air AF400 Air Purifier

Because the symptoms of MCS are so diverse, there is no generic medical treatment to work on all those affected. The only thing doctors, psychologists, and psychiatrists agree on is that avoiding the triggers is probably the best way to help MCS sufferers.

Using a high quality air purifier can provide significant relief by reducing the concentration of airborne chemicals or completely removing them.

In order to provide the best protection for MCS sufferers, Quatro Air Technologies (1.877.978.2876) offers a line of residential and commercial portable air purifiers combining medical-grade HEPA filters and 26 blends of chemical filtration media.

Contact one of our IAQ specialists today to find the right air purifier for you.

Clean Air for Healthy Schools

Excited, nervous or a little scared and maybe a little sad that summer is over, the students have returned to school.

While most people are aware that outdoor air pollution can affect their health, only a small percentage realize that poor indoor air quality can also have significant health effects.

Students, teachers and school staff spend a great deal of time inside schools buildings. Over the past decades, the indoor air pollution in schools has increased steadily due to numerous factors such as aging buildings, tighter maintenance budgets, inadequate ventilation, and increased usage housekeeping supplies.

With a higher density of occupants for the same floor space when compared to typical office buildings, schools require adequate indoor air quality in order to create a favorable environment for students and staff.

Children are particularly affected by exposure to air pollutants as their bodies are still developing. Symptoms, such as headache, fatigue, shortness of breath, sinus congestion, coughing, sneezing, dizziness, nausea, and irritation of the eye, nose, throat and skin are frequently associated with poor indoor air quality.

Inappropriate indoor air quality is also linked to reduced productivity of the staff due to discomfort, sickness, or absenteeism.

The typical indoor air pollutants common to schools are:

• Biological contaminants (mold, dust mites, pet dander, pollen, etc.);
• Dust
• Fine particulate matter
• Lead (Pb)
• Nitrogen oxides (NO, NO2)
• Carbon dioxide (CO2)
• Carbon monoxide (CO)

In order to lower the concentration of indoor air pollutants and minimize the exposure risks for school occupants, Health Canada proposes six basic control strategies:

1. Source Management.

   It is the most effective control method and includes source removal, source substitution, and source isolation.

2. Local Exhaust.

   It involves the removal of individual sources of pollutants before they can disperse into the indoor air, by venting the contaminated air directly outside. (Examples: restrooms, kitchens, science labs, housekeeping storage rooms, printing and duplicating rooms, and vocational/ industrial areas such as welding booths.

3. Ventilation.

   Helps dilute the concentration of noxious fumes in the air by introducing cleaner outdoor air into the building.

4. Exposure Control.

   It involves adjusting the time and location of use in order to minimize the exposure of school occupants to intentionally released air contaminants. (Example: the best time for maintenance work such as painting, carpentry, masonry, welding is on Friday after school is dismissed; the ventilation system would then help reduce the air contaminants over the weekend).

5. Air Cleaning.

   It involves the filtration of particles from the air using air purification units, stand-alone or attached to the existing ventilation system.

6. Education.

   The school occupants must be provided with information about the sources and effects of contaminants, and about the proper operation of the ventilation system.

AF Series Air Purifiers

Equipped with multistage filtration systems including pre-filters, HEPA filters and chemical filters, Quatro Air’s powerful air purifiers are designed to remove a wide range of indoor air pollutants.

Take a look at our AF Series air purifiers (PDF format) and talk to one of our air quality experts about your indoor air quality concerns. 1.877.978.2876