Trotec air purifiers with high-performance filters protect employees and customers from breathing in infectious aerosols
In the debate on loosening corona restrictions further, several countries are currently examining whether and under what conditions the current requirement to wear masks in retail can be abolished. Because although it is undisputed that wearing a face mask offers a “certain level of protection” against infection with corona, TAC V+ air purification technology from Trotec provides a far more effective solution for stationary retail outlets to protect employees and customers from corona.
- Infectious aerosols in room air represent a risk factor to stationary retail outlets which has been so far overlooked.
- High-performance air purifiers with H14 high-performance filters from Trotec can be used to provide immediate maximum protection against infection.
- The technology, which was developed in Germany, is available immediately and can be adapted as a solution for the entire retail industry.
Developed in Heinsberg, used worldwide: TAC V+ high-performance air purification
By using the novel TAC V+ air purifier, supermarkets, DIY stores, wholesalers and similar shopping centres can achieve a previously unattained high level of protection with comparatively low investment costs. Without customers having to fear for their health by not using protective masks.
The danger is in the air: infectious aerosols
While face masks offer limited protection against the larger droplets that are ejected when speaking, the mobile TAC V+ air purifier protects against the inhalation of infectious aerosol mixtures. According to Dr. Thomas Voshaar, medical advisor to the German Health Minister Jens Spahn, these tiny airborne particles are the main transmission pathway of the coronavirus. Around 80 % of all corona infections are caused by indoor air. More precisely through aerosols, a mixture comprising gas (usually air) and solid or liquid constituents, which contain viruses in infected persons. These tiny floating particles are mainly released into the air when breathing and speaking. While the large droplets sink to the ground after only about 1.5 meters due to their weight (which informs the social distancing rule of 1.5 meters), aerosol particles can float in the air for several hours owing to their small size (about 0.3 – 0.4 µm).
TAC V+ air purifier protects against the inhalation of infectious aerosols
The following video shows the dangers of shopping in the supermarket – with and without TAC V+ air purification.
Explanation of the operating principle of the TAC V+ air purifier
A critical factor in the risk of infection with the coronavirus is how long the virus-laden aerosols remain in the room air. This is because – in contrast to the open air, where aerosol mixtures are diluted and replaced with fresh air by the air motion – the aerosol concentration remains continually high in shopping centres. The more aerosols are suspended in the air – and the longer they remain so – the faster these enter the body.
The aim in stationary retail must therefore be to filter infectious aerosols from the shop floor before they are inhaled unnoticed. And this is possible using the innovative TAC V+ air purifier from Trotec. Put simply, the TAC V+ air purifier brings outdoor air conditions to the fruit and veg section, deli counter or checkout area and supplements it with highly efficient virus filtration and inactivation.
The air filtration concept behind the TAC V+ air purifier is based on two pillars:
- On the one hand, the aerosol concentration in the room air is continuously diluted with virus-filtered HEPA ultrapure air. To this end, the purifier has a high ultrapure air capacity – previously unattained with mobile devices – which enables an air exchange rate up to 20 times per hour.
- In addition, airborne viruses and bacteria are first separated in an innovative, heat-resistant HEPA particulate filter and then killed off cyclically by thermal decontamination. This special filter of protection class 14 exclusively developed by Trotec is distinguished by a separation efficiency of 99.995 percent for particle sizes from 0.1 to 0.2 µm. Thanks to these features, H14 high-performance filters are even used to produce clean air in operating theatres and in similar hygiene-sensitive areas.
What sounds very technical in theory proves to be really simple in practice. The draught-free intake of polluted room air occurs close to the floor, the ultrapure air free of viruses then being returned vertically upwards into the room. Thanks to the mobile design enabling several TAC V+ air purifiers to be used, even large areas of ultrapure air without hazardous aerosol contamination can be realised.
More protection against infection by law
It is conceivable that, based on new findings, effective air purification could also become legally binding for parts of the retail trade. This is already being discussed in the meat industry, and other sectors with a high risk of infection could follow. With the help of the TAC V+ air purifier, heavily-frequented retail companies can meet the required level of protection of HEPA filter class 14 already- with comparatively low investment risk. This is because the costs of the mobile air purifier are disproportionate to the costs and consequences of a corona-induced company closure.
The mobile TAC V+ air purifier is available in several colours and equipment variants in the Trotec shop, as well as in all of our Trotec branches across Europe.
Would you like more information? Feel free to talk to us personally:
Trotec STORE
Grebbener Straße 7
52525 Heinsberg
Germany
Tel. +49 2452 962-400
E-Mail: store.heinsberg@trotec.com
