Building Immune Systems in Restaurants

BPI effectiveness is based on the number of ions in the space. BPI manufacturer Plasma Air states that the target air purifying ion density is 1,000 ions/cc in the space. Extrapolating that for a sample air handling yields the following design criteria (to the right).

2,400 CFM = 40 ft 3 /sec

40 ft 3 /sec = 1,132,674 cm 3 /sec

@1000 ions/cc = 1.13 billion ions/sec

The controversy that surrounds BPI technology is discussions around the possible product ozone. In elevated quantities, ozone can be harmful to human organ tissue (i.e., lungs). Both the tube type and needlepoint manufacturers argue that their technologies comply with all governmental guidelines (summary shown below).

Table 2. Acceptable Indoor Ozone Levels per Different Regulatory Groups (36)

BENEFITS • Total Indoor Air Quality Improvement • Minimal first cost and maintenance cost • Easy to retrofit into an existing system • Known to inactivate past airborne viruses similar to SARS-CoV-2

CONCERNS • Concerns with ozone as a by-product

Building Immune Systems in Restaurants | July 2020