Air purification refers to the systematic removal of airborne contaminants—such as dust, pollen, mould spores, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and pathogens—to enhance indoor air quality (IAQ). In the UK, this process is critical for both new builds and retrofits due to increasingly airtight building envelopes driven by energy efficiency standards (e.g., Part L of Building Regulations). Poor IAQ contributes to respiratory illnesses, allergies, and reduced productivity, making purification technologies essential for health compliance and occupant wellbeing.
Definition
The engineered process of capturing, neutralising, or eliminating airborne pollutants through mechanical, chemical, or electronic means to achieve safer and cleaner indoor air.
Explanation
Air purification addresses contaminants from both external sources (e.g., traffic emissions) and internal sources (e.g., cleaning products, building materials). In the UK housing sector, its importance is amplified by:
- Regulatory Drivers: Updated Building Regulations (2021 amendments) mandate higher ventilation rates and mechanical ventilation in new airtight homes, indirectly promoting integrated air purification.
- Retrofit Challenges: Older UK housing stock often lacks modern ventilation. Retrofitting purification systems—such as standalone HEPA filters or in-duct UV-C lights—can mitigate pollutants without compromising thermal efficiency.
- Technologies & Applications:
- Mechanical Filtration: HEPA filters capture 99.97% of particles ≥0.3μm (e.g., pollen, PM2.5). Used in Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) systems, common in new UK builds.
- Activated Carbon Adsorption: Removes gases and VOCs from paints or furnishings. Deployed in kitchens or high-moisture areas to prevent mould-related VOCs.
- UV Germicidal Irradiation: UV-C light neutralises pathogens. Hospitals and care homes in the UK increasingly adopt this for infection control.
- Ionisation: Releases charged particles to clump pollutants for easier filtration. Suitable for retrofit due to low space requirements.
Synonym
Air cleaning (used interchangeably in UK guidance, e.g., Public Health England reports).
Related Terms
- Indoor Air Quality (IAQ): Holistic measure of air health, encompassing purification, ventilation, and source control.
- Demand-Controlled Ventilation (DCV): Smart systems adjusting airflow based on IAQ sensors, often integrated with purification.
- MVHR (Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery): Energy-efficient system combining fresh-air supply with heat retention, frequently incorporating purification stages in new UK builds