Thread by @MarcelHarmon1

5 Concerns Over Air Ionization for Enhancing #IAQ – Especially in Schools.

1st, it should be acknowledged a) this is from a non-BPI manufacturer/distributor (though not necessarily a competitor), & b) it creates a bit... 1/

#ksed @lawrenceks @usd497

renewaire.com/wp-content/upl…

of a straw man regarding some newer BPI tech's reported non-ozone producing capabilities.

That being said, I'm generally in agreement w/ what's stated here. BPI manufacturers have historically touted their tech as a means for reducing ventilation rates, despite evidence... 2/

that this negatively impacts health & performance: linkedin.com/pulse/evolutio….

W/ the advent of the pandemic, they've now pivoted to focus on their tech's ability to control pathogens - a strategy that seems to have been pretty lucrative for some manufacturers/distributors. 3/

Even if this tech is being employed in a manner that maintains higher ventilation rates, many of the concerns listed here are still valid. Additional concerns include a) unknown impacts on human health from chronic, long term exposure & how that varies by demographic... 4/

factors like age, b) unknown short/long term impacts on the built environment's microbiome (it kills indiscriminately), & c) inadequate field testing of the newer tech to verify ozone isn't a byproduct at unsafe levels (lab tests aren't enough).

More research is needed... 5/

& as a strategy it should be low on the list of options to reach for, potentially limited to some high risk situations where other strategies aren't possible or adequate. If used, it should also likely be set up for on-demand use & not on all the time. 6/

But ventilation & filtration should always be the 1st strategies examined for improving IAQ & controlling pathogens.

Districts, universities, municipalities & other building owners need to carefully consider the risks associated w/ BPI before using.

#ksed @lawrenceks @usd497