LEEWAY - The air purification: Preventing particle travel
Introduction
​
Airborne transmission can play an important role in the spreading of infectious diseases in indoor environments. The risk is a function of concentration of virus-laden particles and time of exposure. In office environments, workers are potentially exposed to the cloud of particles of their neighboring workers for many hours. It is therefore important to take effective mitigation measures to reduce the risk of infection should one person be a carrier of an infectious disease. An air purification system that embodies the principle of arresting respiratory particles immediately as they are generated shows good promise. This is implemented in the form of an air-purifying desk divider with an air suction immediately above the edge of a computer screen and in front of every desk. By confining the particles exhaled by each person to the workspace of that person, migration of particles is dramatically degreased and this has a high promise for mitigating transmission of infectious diseases in the office environment.
Previous research has established a link between air quality in the office environment and employee productivity. Aspects of air quality that are commonly considered include particles such as dust and pollen, volatile organic compounds such as formaldehyde, microbial contaminants such as mold and bacteria, carbon dioxide and so on. Official organizations such as the Environmental Protection Agency highlight both short term and long-term effects of indoor air quality.
The COVID19 pandemic has brought to attention another aspect of indoor air quality, that of the risk of airborne transmission of diseases. Researchers suggest that small airborne microdroplets has been one of the main routes of transmission of SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19. Other routes include larger respiratory droplets and direct contact with contaminated surfaces. Lager respiratory particles fall close to where they are expired, and good personal hygiene habits such as frequent washing of hands can mitigate risk of infection by direct contact on contaminated surfaces. Contamination from airborne particles can be mitigated to some extent by the extensive use of face masks, and in many environments, this is considered mandatory. In reality, however, for many people wearing a face mask for long hours becomes uncomfortable and frequently the mask ends up becoming a decorative feature of the neck, or is totally removed when there is no strict reinforcement of the facemask rule.
​
Even if a colleague has an ordinary cold, some coughing should not be creating fear and panic. It is key that respiratory particles do not travel from one person across the room, because they could be contaminating others in their path. Ordinary air purifiers can make particle spreading worse. Transmission of any type of illness can cause absenteeism and significant loss of working hours.
Arresting Respiratory Particles
The solution is simple arrest respiratory particles the moment they are generated Particles should be trapped before being able to travel beyond one’s own personal space If everybody’s particles are captured immediately, there are no illness laden particles floating about.
Office Environment
We place an air suction module at every workstation, so that respiratory particles are sucked in before they can have the chance to spread around The air is filtered, and purified air is then returned to the room. With several LEEWAY devices in the office space, we have a clean room Particle concentrations are at an absolute minimum, whether these are respiratory or dust particles Air is cleaner than on top of a mountain Resulting in a safer, healthier, cleaner and more pleasant environment.
Easy Fit to Every Desk
The system comprises of the purifier engine, the air intake and the conduit It fits perfectly to every desk and can easily be adjusted It is supplied with an elegant, transparent screen but it can be secured equally well to an existing desk divider or screen.
The basic principle
Arrest respiratory particles the moment they are generated. Particles should be trapped before being able to travel beyond one’s own personal space If everybody’s particles are captured immediately, there are no illness laden particles floating about.
Efficient Absorption
A compact device is positioned above and behind the patient’s head, closest to the mouth and nose It absorbs respiratory particles as soon as they are expelled. The air travels through a series of filters that capture bacteria, viruses and odors, before it is released back in the room as purified air.
