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/

Compact Air Purifiers :: The LP400 Series

LP400 Compact Air Purifiers
for Residential, Commercial and Industrial Applications

LP400 :: Compact Air Purifiers

Affordable, compact and low maintenance, the LP400 general purpose air purifies are the tool of choice for virtually any application that
requires removal of dust, particulate matter, hazardous chemicals, gases and vapors.

The LP400 air purifiers rely on our proven multistage filtration system and are powered by high-efficiency, low current, backward inclined motorized impellers delivering high airflow and whisper quiet operation.

LP400 Air Purifier
Space-saving Installation

The LP400 units benefit from a wide selection of accessories for ducting and installation, and are capable of operating in recirculation, positive pressure or negative pressure modes.

LP400 Air Purifier

Easy access to the filtration system and the intuitive design allows users to perform any maintenance task without any formal training.

APPLICATIONS
· Residential
· Offices
· Dental Labs
· In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Labs
· Garages
· Healthcare Institutions
· Educational Institutions
· Bars and Restaurants
· Beauty Salons and Spas
· Laser Engraving and Cutting
· Law Enforcement
· Libraries and Archives
· Printing and Graphic Arts
· Manufacturing and Maintenance
· Environmental Consulting

Download LP400 brochure

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

Portable Air Purifier ContractAir Air Scrubber

ContractAir - Rugged Modular Air Purifier

ULTIMATE PROTECTION AGAINST MOLD, ASBESTOS, VEHICLE EXHAUST, DUST AND CHEMICALS
Construction Sites · Workshops · Garages · Warehouses

Compact, lightweight and versatile, ContractAir portable air purifiers scrubbers offer advanced protection against dust, ultra-fine particulate and chemical pollutants.
Our high-efficiency units remove dangerous airborne contaminants, reduce the health risks, create a safe work environment and protect sensitive equipment.

APPLICATIONS:

· Workshop VentilationPaint and solvent fumes, welding gases, dust and ultra-fine particulate from sandblasting, milling and woodworking activities.
· Garage VentilationDust, engine exhaust, diesel particulate matter, fuel storage, chemicals, VOCs. Essential for fire stations, ambulance bays, loading docks, toll stations, municipal garages, interior parking lots.
· Construction, Renovation, DemolitionDrywall cutting and sanding, concrete cutting and finishing, asbestos and lead removal, mold abatement, floor sanding and staining, thermal spray insulation.

FEATURES:

· Standard inlet and discharge grilles for recirculation mode
· Compression clamps provide quick and easy filter access
· Compression gasket for filter access panels guarantee proper sealing
· Corrosion resistant and maintenance free motorized impeller.
· Energy efficient and whisper quiet operation, less than 62 dBA
· Standard filter sequence: 2” MERV 8 pre-filter and 12” MERV12 filter
· Nominal airflow: 1800 CFM with standard filter sequence (Free air 3000 CFM)

ContractAir - Versatile Air Purifier

AVAILABLE OPTIONS:

· 2” or 12” deep chemical filter, up to 100 lbs, 26 custom blends available
· 12” deep HEPA filter
· 12” deep ULPA filter
· 2“ deep HEPA filter
· 8”, 10”, 12” and 14”diameter duct collars
· UV lights
· Heavy duty casters and lifting handles make the unit easy to maneuver
· Unit mounted pressure gauge to monitor filter condition
· Control panel with variable speed control, circuit breaker, on/off switch
· Adjustable legs for floor mounting 2-17” (5-43cm)
· Ceiling mount kit
· Custom remote controls

ContractAir - Filters and Specifications

MODULAR DESIGN FOR CUSTOM ALL-IN-ONE AIR PURIFICATION SOLUTIONS

· Complete air handling system
· Stand-alone filter module
· Booster fan
· Draw-through configuration
· Blow-through configuration
· Ceiling mount
· Free-standing unit
· Portable configuration: negative air, positive air, or recirculation


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

Download ContractAir Brochure

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.

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.

Indoor air quality, a major concern for office workers

IAQ in Office Buildings - A Major Health Concern

As more and more organizations became aware of the importance of healthy and productive indoor environments, the demand for good indoor air quality (IAQ) for office buildings increased exponentially in the last decade.

Scientific evidence indicates that indoor environments sometimes can have concentrations of pollutants that are much higher than levels found outside. The air inside homes and office buildings can be two to five times more polluted than the outdoor air and in some extreme situations up to one hundred times. During the cold season when homes, schools and offices are sealed up to conserve energy, the health and comfort issues associated with poor indoor air quality multiply exponentially.

Today, people are spending nearly 90% of their time indoors, exposing themselves to higher concentrations of pollutants for extended periods of time. The pollutants in our indoor environment can increase the risk of illness and have significant economic consequences for companies due to high loss of work time and performance, linked to health issues.

Health effects often include irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and allergy-type symptoms. While these symptoms are usually short-term, and disappear when the source of pollution is removed, more serious conditions such as asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonia, Sick Building Syndrome (SBS), Building-Related Illness (BRI) and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) can affect some individuals after exposure.

The quality of indoor air is affected both by the pollutants inside the workplace and outdoor sources. Some of the major indoor pollution sources include building materials, furnishings, biological contaminants, cleaning and personal care products, office equipment, HVAC systems and humidification devices. Outdoor pollutants are mainly generated by the exhaust fumes from vehicles, chemicals and odors from production facilities and industrial plants and dust and particles from nearby construction sites.

In general, Indoor air quality problems in office buildings can be resolved by providing sufficient clean air and by eliminating major sources of contamination within the building.

Quatro Air Technologies (1.877.978.2876) offers complete air purification solutions to help improve the air quality in office environments. Using a multi-stage filtration system, our versatile and cost-effective air purifiers offer enhanced protection against a wide range of airborne pollutants including chemical compounds, gases, odors and particles.

The AF Series Air Purifiers for Home an Office Environments [Download PDF brochure]

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

3D Printers and Indoor Air Quality

3D Desktop Printer
MakerBot Replicator2

Ideal for rapid prototyping and small scale manufacturing, the 3D printing technology is expanding rapidly fueled by the development of low-cost desktop 3D printers.

3D printing (or Additive manufacturing) is an additive process known as molten polymer deposition (MPD) where very thin layers of thermoplastic are melted successively deposited on a baseplate by a computer controlled heated nozzle. As the thermoplastic hardens, the baseplate moves to the next layer, and the process continues until the desired 3D object is created.

There are several types of thermoplastics suitable for this process (polyvinyl alcohol - PVA, polycarbonate - PC, high-density polyethylene - HDPE) but most desktop 3D printers utilize either acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or polylactic acid (PLA).

Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) is a tough thermoplastic with a very good impact resistance and shock absorbance. In the 3D printing process the acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) prints at approximately 220 °C nozzle temperature and 80 °C baseplate temperature.

Polylactic acid or polylactide (PLA) is a thermoplastic derived from organic renewable sources such as corn starch and it prints at nozzle temperatures of about 180 °C and room temperature for the baseplate.

Recent studies on thermal processing of thermoplastics indicate that both gases and particles are emitted during the manufacturing processes. The main byproducts of the ABS thermal decomposition include carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide and a variety of volatile organics (VOC), all being well-known health hazards.

Another potential concern is the ultrafine particles (UFP), particles less than 100nm generated during the 3D printing process.

The authors of the “Ultrafine particle emissions from desktop 3D printers” study conducted a series of measurements on UFP concentrations resulting from the operation of several desktop 3D printers operating in a small office. The results indicated both ABS and PLA thermoplastics emit relatively high concentrations of ultrafine particles (UFP) and proper filtration is recommended.

UFPs are the main constituent of airborne particulate matter and due to their ability to penetrate deep within the lung and deposit in head’s airways, are a major health concern.

Quatro Air SPL-400
Multipurpose Source Capture Air Purifier

Experimental studies have shown that ultrafine particles are capable to pass through skin, enter the bloodstream from the lungs and cross cellular membranes. It was also indicated that the toxicity could increase as the particle size decreases due to increased surface area.

Even if components of certain UFPs are not very toxic, exposure to high concentrations may cause oxidative stress, inflammatory mediator release, and could induce lung disease and other systemic effects.

With a fast growing user base and sold without proper filtration, the 3D printers could expose the operators to serious health hazards.
Backed by 20 years of experience in air purification systems, Quatro Air Technologies (1.877.978.2876) offers a wide range of high efficiency source capture fume extractors designed remove airborne contaminants and create a healthy work environment.