Ionization makes it smell better on Marstrand Many holidaymakers want to enjoy the West Coast, which means a challenge for Marstrand’s sewage treatment plant. The high load in summer led to an unsustainable situation. The stench was difficult, but the solution was simple: – I have no previous experience of ionization, but we did not have much to lose in testing. And damn what a difference it made, says Kim Särvegård, operations manager, VA-Drift in Kungälv municipality. ekoion_dev July 24, 2023 Facebook Instagram Linkedin Many holidaymakers want to enjoy the West Coast of Sweden, which poses a challenge for Marstrand’s wastewater treatment plant. The high load in summer time led to an unsustainable situation. The stench was difficult, but the solution simple: “I have no previous experience of ionization, but we didn’t have much to lose from testing. And damn what a difference it made, says Kim Särvegård, operations manager, VA-Drift(water and sewage) in Kungälv municipality. Marstrand’s wastewater treatment plant installed a large ventilation plant a few years ago, in order to handle the working environment inside the wastewater treatment plant.  “But despite the fact that the ventilation system is oversized, we still had major problems with odours, especially when it comes to incoming, i.e. the first cleaning step,” says Kim Särvegård. The scented vapors with hydrogen sulphide in combination with all other sewage smells settled both in clothes and in noses. Even if you get used to it – or rather, have to stand out – the smell finally became such a big health and safety problem that Kim Särvegård had to act.  “There are many products on the market that promise miracles when it comes to removing fragrances at pumping stations and the like, and I am probably a little generally sceptical about such promises. But our smell problems required immediate action, and the ionization-solution presented by Ekoion’s representative sounded good. We decided to accept their solution. It was a decision that Kim Särvegård has not had to regret: “The difference is extremely noticable, and it was immediately noticeable. There is still a sewage scent, but it is so incredibly much better than before. It is now possible to stay on the premises. In the other parts of the wastewater treatment plant, we have a lot of pools, so the air is so fresh that it is basically like being outdoors. The installation itself was surprisingly quick and painless. All the pipes were already in place, and it was easy to switch on the ionization equipment at the existing plant. “Nothing needed to be turned off, and nothing interfered with day-to-day operations. The successful result has meant that one can now imagine going ahead and installing ionization at more pumping stations within the municipality, to address precisely these problems with extreme odour. Kim also has a partner in the same industry, so there will be some ionization talk even at home. “She works at a larger central treatment plant, and I have tipped her off about the possibilities. She also notices herself that it works because my clothes no longer smell” kim smiles.

Nanoparticles in air pollutants linked to brain cancer New research has linked nanoparticles in air pollutants to brain cancer. The very small particles are produced by burning fuel, especially in diesel vehicles, and higher exposures increase people’s chances of getting the deadly cancer. Previous work has shown that nanoparticles can enter the brain and that they can carry carcinogenic chemicals. ekoion_dev July 24, 2023 Facebook Instagram Linkedin New research has linked air pollution nanoparticles to brain cancer for the first time. The ultra-fine particles (UFPs) are produced by fuel burning, particularly in diesel vehicles, and higher exposures significantly increase people’s chances of getting the deadly cancer. Previous work has shown that nanoparticles can get into the brain and that they can carry carcinogenic chemicals. Brain cancers are rare, and the scientists have calculated that an increase in pollution exposure roughly equivalent to moving from a quiet city street to a busy one leads to one extra case of brain cancer for every 100,000 people exposed. New research has linked air pollution nanoparticles to brain cancer for the first time. The ultra-fine particles (UFPs) are produced by fuel burning, particularly in diesel vehicles, and higher exposures significantly increase people’s chances of getting the deadly cancer. Previous work has shown that nanoparticles can get into the brain and that they can carry carcinogenic chemicals.   Brain cancers are rare, and the scientists have calculated that an increase in pollution exposure roughly equivalent to moving from a quiet city street to a busy one leads to one extra case of brain cancer for every 100,000 people exposed. researchers replicate it. The discovery of abundant toxic nanoparticles from air pollution in human brains was made in 2016. A comprehensive global review earlier in 2019 concluded that air pollution may be damaging every organ and virtually every cell in the human body. Toxic air has been linked to other effects on the brain, including huge reductions in intelligence, dementia and mental health problems in both adults and children. The World Health Organization says air pollution is a “silent public health emergency”. The new study, published in the journal Epidemiology, found that a one-year increase in pollution exposure of 10,000 nanoparticles per cubic centimetre – the approximate difference between quiet and busy city streets – increased the risk of brain cancer by more than 10%. The pollution levels in the cities studied – Toronto and Montreal – ranged from 6,000/cm3 to 97,000/cm3. Weichenthal said people living with pollution of 50,000/cm3 have a 50% higher risk of brain cancer than those living with 15,000/cm3. “I think [Toronto and Montreal] are typical of major cities,” he said. “I wouldn’t expect the nanoparticles to be any less harmful anywhere else.” The analysis by the researchers took account of factors including income, smoking and obesity, and whether people moved house. “We don’t know a lot about the causes of brain tumours, so any environmental factors we can identify are helpful in increasing understanding,” Weichenthal said. The team only had air pollution data for the more recent period of the study and assumed the differences between different streets and districts were the same in the past. “We think this is reasonable because major highways don’t move around,” he said. Prof Jordi Sunyer, at the Barcelona Institute for Global Health in Spain, who was not involved in the new research, said: “This is an important finding, given that UFPs are directly emitted by combustion cars and several studies in animals have shown UFPs could be more toxic than larger particles.” Prof Barbara Maher, at the University of Lancaster, UK, said iron-rich nanoparticles from traffic pollution were likely to be carcinogenic and were therefore a plausible possible cause of brain cancer. She said nanoparticles were not regulated and were rarely even measured. The research used three-year averages of nanoparticle levels, but Maher said understanding the health impact of repeated exposure to short-lived spikes was vital: “We have measured these outside primary schools in the UK, where UFP particle numbers regularly exceed 150,000 per cubic centimetre of playground air.” Weichenthal said he avoided heavily polluted streets when walking and cycling. “At an individual level, it is always a good idea to reduce your exposure to pollutants. But the more important actions are at a regulatory level, where you can take action that reduces everyone’s exposure – that is where the real benefits come in.”

Tested by RISE Research Institutes of Sweden To secure and confirm our own O3 measurements, we had RISE test our ionization units for duct mounting, regarding ozone. A test facility was built in RISE’s premises in Borås and ducts were drawn into a test room. The air flow was adjusted to approx. 2.5 rpm, which corresponds to a normally ventilated office room. The results confirmed our own measurements, that the O3 molecules created in our ionization units are almost immeasurable. ekoion_dev July 24, 2023 Facebook Instagram Linkedin The test was conducted at RISE Research Institutes of Sweden AB, Energy and Circular Economy on October 24, 2019. Methodology Outside an airtight room with room volume 22.4 m3, the test object was installed in a Ø 160 mm ventilation duct. An airflow was generated in the duct and adjusted to 100.5 l/s corresponding to an air velocity of about 5 m/s. The air was taken from the surrounding indoor air in the room and is considered relatively clean. Even the room is regarded as relatively clean. From the canal, a partial flow (supply air) of 15.5 l/s was directed into the room, giving the room about 2.5 air turnovers/hour. Between the test object and the room there were 6 m ventilation duct and two 90° bends. With dampers in the duct, the pressure in the room was adjusted so that the pressure difference between the room and the surrounding room was close to 0 Pa. The air in the room was continuously remixed with a table fan. Ozone (O3) content measurement was made using a calibrated ozone instrument. The calibration is traceable to NIST. An average was given for every 10 s. Initially, a measurement of the background content of the surrounding room was made. After that, the content of the room’s supply air and exhaust air was made with the test object not in operation. The test object was then launched when measuring in the exhaust air was made and the measurement was then carried out alternately in the exhaust air and supply air. After about 60 minutes, the test object was taken out of service when measuring the supply air content was made. Finally, a measurement was made of the background content of the surrounding premises. The content of the exhaust air is in this case considered to be representative of the content of the room. Results The test object was deployed after about 17 minutes and was decommissioned after about 81 minutes. The background content in the surrounding room was 4-6 ppb* at the beginning of the measurement and 3-4 ppb at the end of the measurement. The maximum measured supply air content during the measurement period was 14.7 ppb.The maximum measured exhaust air content during the measurement period was 12,5 ppb. The maximum  measured  concentrations  are  lower  than  the limit values    contained  in the  Swedish Work Environment Authority’s  regulations  and  general  advice  on  hygienic limit values; AFS 2018:1.   Table 1  below  lists the level limit value  (LLV)  and the short-term limit value  (SLV)  for  ozone according to  AFS 2018:1. Figure 1. Results, measurement of ozone (O3) concentrations over time (background surroundings, supply air, exhaust air) The result is only for the tested object and under the prevailing conditions. Table 1. Hygiene limit values for ozone according to AFS 2018:1.  Substance Level limit value (LLV)** Short-term limit value (SLV)***    ppb* μg/m 3 ppb* μg/m 3 Ozon 100 200 300 600 * ppb = parts per billion ** LLV, Hygienic limit value for exposure during one working day, normally 8 hours. ** SLV, Hygienic exposure limit for a reference period of 15 minutes. 1ppb O3 = 2.00 micrograms O3 / m3 vid temperature 20°C och atmoshestriestryck 1013 mbar.1ppb O3 = 2.15 micrograms O3 / m3 vid temperature 0°C och atmoshestryck 1013 mbar. Test conditions   Temperature 19.6 – 20.3°C Relative humidity 50.6 – 50.7% Atmospheric pressure 990,1 mbar   Estimated measurement uncertainty   Ozone better than ± 5 ppb Airflow better than ± 5% Temperature better than ± 0.5°C Relative humidity better than ± 2% units Atmospheric pressure better than ± 1 mbar   Download the test reports: 9P07059A_12W.pdf (In Swedish) 9P07059B_25W.pdf (In Swedish)

New energy system has led to halved energy consumption A cleaner indoor climate is more important than you think🌱 Here, Atrium Ljungberg has installed one of our ionization equipment, which we are very proud of! =) with the help of EKOion’s equipment that purifies the indoor air, large parts of the air can be reused, without compromising air quality. This means that we have helped to halve their energy purchases and reduce their carbon dioxide emissions by about 110 tonnes per year. Recurring particle measurements in the properties also show world-class air quality. ekoion_dev July 24, 2023 Facebook Instagram Linkedin The real estate company Atrium Ljungberg owns four properties in Lindholmen, totaling 84,000 square meters of office space. The tenants have diverse needs. The buildings house server rooms that need to be kept cool all year round, laboratories that require at least 40 degrees Celsius, and office environments with varying requirements depending on the outdoor temperature. When the real estate company conducted an energy analysis of three of the properties, they noticed that both cooling and heating consumption were high throughout the year. “I didn’t think it made sense to run cooling and heating simultaneously. Therefore, we decided to investigate if there was a solution. When you produce cooling, you get waste heat, and vice versa. I was surprised that no one seemed to have asked this question before,” says Morgan Westlund, the property manager for Atrium Ljungberg in Gothenburg. He assembled a group consisting of energy experts and entrepreneurs to find an answer. They studied a large map of the energy system and pondered what needed to be done. The solution gradually took shape. Morgan Westlund started researching the solutions available on the market. Meanwhile, ducts were excavated between the buildings to connect them. In addition to pipes with cold and hot water, a third pipe was also installed to complement the other loops and make the indoor climate more stable. “We found the solution in Italy in the form of a geothermal heat pump with three loops instead of two,” says Morgan Westlund. Atrium Ljungberg has also installed a system that purifies the air circulating in the properties, a so-called ionization equipment. This allows the air within the buildings to be reused. “It means that we can recirculate a larger proportion of the exhaust air with the already heated or cooled energy. If it’s 30 degrees Celsius outside and we want 22 degrees inside, we take the exhaust air, which is 24 degrees, and cool it down instead of bringing in 30-degree air and cooling it down.” With this system, they have found a way to utilize the surplus cooling and excess heat generated within the properties. The results have exceeded expectations. “We have halved our energy purchases and reduced our carbon dioxide emissions by about 110 tons per year. That’s equivalent to the emissions from 90 cars in a year or 550 flights between Gothenburg and Paris,” says Morgan Westlund. According to him, the solution is unique. “We have combined different technologies into one system, and as far as I know, there is nothing like this anywhere else.” The construction of the energy system cost just under 15 million Swedish Krona. “The estimated payback period is less than eight years. So, it’s a significant reduction in our carbon footprint, which also makes economic sense.” There is a lot of interest in the system. “Several other companies in Gothenburg have reached out about the possibility of implementing the same system in their properties, so hopefully, we inspire more people to think sustainably. It feels incredibly exciting to be part of developing a completely new type of climate-smart energy solution,” says Morgan Westlund. At the same time, he emphasizes that the system cannot be copied directly. “Each building has its own anatomy, and tenants have different needs. It’s important to ask questions about how the building is equipped and what kind of energy is needed. But feel free to come and take a look.” “Is there anything that hasn’t gone as you expected?” “I wasn’t prepared for it to take so long to complete, but then again, I’m a bit restless. It’s better for it to take time and work really well, so we can deliver the promised temperature. Now we have tested it during the fall and will run it on a full scale from the turn of the year. Lindholmen is a leader in Europe when it comes to innovation development, and it feels great to do this right here.”

Bringing the outside into the office: Coronavirus bolsters push towards healthier building design Even as the coronavirus pandemic worsens in the U.S., stay-at-home orders in some areas have loosened and companies have sent some workers back to offices with social distancing restrictions, temperature checks and plexiglass sneeze barriers. ekoion_dev July 24, 2023 Facebook Instagram Linkedin KEY POINTS The coronavirus pandemic has bolstered corporate interest in redesigning work space to simulate nature, have better air filtration systems and use more sustainable materials. More companies are embracing biophilic design — the concept of bringing the health benefits of the outdoors inside. Buildings are also adapting to demand for more outdoor work space like terraces, and widespread expectations that employees will be more mobile after the pandemic is contained. “We’re blurring the line between work and home. Your office doesn’t have to be enclosed at your desk, said Asheshh Saheba, a managing partner at the architecture firm Steinberg Hart in San Francisco. Even as the coronavirus pandemic worsens in the U.S., stay-at-home orders in some areas have loosened and companies have sent some workers back to offices with social distancing restrictions, temperature checks and plexiglass sneeze barriers. These new health precautions amid Covid-19 are new for offices. But architects and office designers have long worked on innovations to make corporate space healthier and better for the environment — projects they say will be in higher demand even as millions work from home and corporations rethink their need for future office space. “When you go back, when I go back, people will look at office buildings differently,” said Joseph Allen, director of the Healthy Buildings Program at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. “The plexiglass will go away, but the attention to air quality, water quality, lighting and acoustics will stay,” Allen said. Designers say the pandemic has bolstered corporate interest in redesigning work space to simulate nature, have better air filtration systems and use more materials that are better for the environment. “Covid-19 accelerated our corporate clients’ interest in health and wellness. These are inextricably linked with work that is better for the environment,” said Gail Napell, a sustainability specialist and leader in design resilience at the architecture firm Gensler. Napell said the company’s projects, which focus on lowering the carbon footprint of buildings and creating a healthier working space, have been accelerating.   “We believe our goals will create great places for people and for the habitability and health of the planet. At this point in history, this is essential. We are where we are,” Napell said. “The real estate community has the opportunity for enormous positive global climate and well-being impact.”   The Titan Student Union in the Cal State Fullerton campus has a central triple-height atrium nearly entirely daylit with skylights and other sustainable features including a cool roof, solar shading, daylight sensors and a HVAC system. Steinberg Hart / Lawrence Anderson Push towards biophilic design Companies have been increasingly embracing biophilic design — the concept of bringing the health benefits of the outdoors inside while cutting down on energy costs and boosting employee health and performance. “The basic theory of biophilic design is enjoying the richness and complexity of nature and using the amazing ecosystem as a stress reduction tool to make our lives better,” said Rick Cook, the founder of CookFox, a Manhattan-based architecture firm that works on sustainability and green spaces in designing buildings. “We discovered people have higher cognitive performance when you design with these ideas in mind,” Cook continued. “We started out trying to make buildings and spaces better for the environment … what we stumbled on is how to make buildings quantifiably better for people.”  Biophilic concepts include incorporating green walls with plants that help clean the air; natural materials like wood into spaces; indoor water features like ponds and waterfalls; and circadian lights that provide different color temperatures to keep the body’s internal clock in line, such as lighter white lighting to mimic daylight. “All of these things were already on the rise. Covid-19 happened and no one could have been prepared for it,” Cook said. “Now, the option for outdoor space will be in higher demand and high quality air filtration — people will pay much more attention to this.”   Pictured is an energy efficient LED module that supplements a main ceiling lighting system set on circadian rhythms. Lights that have different color temperatures and intensities throughout the day help keep the body’s internal clock in line.   Americans spend over 90% of their lives inside, where indoor air pollution is up to five times worse than outdoor pollution, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Indoor pollutants like smoke, dust, mold and chemicals from certain paints, cleaners and building materials are particularly harmful. Research shows that offices with artificial lighting, a lack of windows and poor ventilation create more stress for workers and impair decision-making abilities, according to research published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives. However, working in a room with natural light helps boost productivity and mental health, and employees who are exposed to natural light in offices sleep better because the light improves circadian rhythms, according to research published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. “Covid-19 has accelerated the healthy buildings movement,” Allen said. “Every sector is now talking about what they need to do for health in the building, for Covid-19, infectious disease transmission and beyond.” Constructing healthier buildings The pandemic has also put a spotlight on constructing new spaces that are adaptable to changing workplace norms and a need for more sustainable buildings to mitigate climate change. Asheshh Saheba, a managing partner at the architecture firm Steinberg Hart in San Francisco, said his company has been working on designing buildings with parking and garage structures that can adapt to changing commuting habits, as the pandemic has bolstered transportation practices that are better for the environment, like biking and walking. Buildings are also adapting to demand for more outdoor work space, such as terraces, and widespread expectations that employees will be more mobile after the pandemic is contained. “To be in

Ionization could be a secret weapon in the war against COVID-19 Integrated into HVAC systems, the technology utilizes specialized tubes that take oxygen molecules from the air and convert them into charged atoms that then cluster around microparticles, surrounding and deactivating harmful substances like airborne mold, bacteria, allergens, and viruses. ekoion_dev July 24, 2023 Facebook Instagram Linkedin Used in large-scale ventilation systems worldwide, bipolar ionization could be a secret weapon in the war against COVID-19 Bipolar ionization technology releases charged atoms that attach to and deactivate harmful substances like bacteria, mold, allergens, and viruses. It first arrived in the US in the 1970s as a tool to control pathogens in food manufacturing.   Bipolar ionization has already proven effective against SARS, norovirus, and several influenza strains. Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories. Bipolar ionization is experiencing a surge in popularity as the coronavirus pandemic fans concerns about air quality. Integrated into HVAC systems, the technology utilizes specialized tubes that take oxygen molecules from the air and convert them into charged atoms that then cluster around microparticles, surrounding and deactivating harmful substances like airborne mold, bacteria, allergens, and viruses. They also attach to expelled breath droplets and dust particles that can transport viruses, enlarging them so they’re more easily caught in filters. It’s an active process that provides continuous disinfection. “The ions produce a chemical reaction on the cell membrane surface that inactivates the virus,” Philip Tierno, a clinical professor of microbiology and pathology at the NYU School of Medicine, told Business Insider. “It can reduce 99.9% of microbes in a matter of minutes.” The battle against the coronavirus could be an air fight  Concerns about airborne transmission have grown as new research indicates the novel coronavirus can remain airborne longer and spread further than previously thought. Some experts now believe that just normal breathing can spread the virus. “The possibility of aerosolized spread of COVID-19 and the ability of particles to hang in the air for extended periods of time would make the consideration of an active air-cleaning strategy even more prudent,” Tierno said. Long popular in Europe, bipolar ionization first arrived in the US in the 1970s as a tool to control pathogens in food manufacturing. It was effective during the SARS outbreak of 2004, as well as more recent outbreaks of MERS and norovirus and various strains of influenza. Recent advances have made units cheaper and easier to install and companies are scrambling to test the technology against the coronavirus. According to Tierno, early results have been positive: “Because coronaviruses are enveloped viruses, they are easier to kill compared to naked viruses like noroviruses.” Many large venues already employ bipolar ionization Hospitals including Johns Hopkins, Children’s Hospital Boston and the University of Maryland Medical Center have already embraced the technology. “Bipolar ionization has been used in healthcare for many years for many applications,” Tony Abate, chief technical officer at AtmosAir Solutions, told Business Insider. “We believe bipolar ion systems will become a standard in these critical environments to protect patients and staff. Terminals at LaGuardia, O’Hare, LAX, and San Francisco International Airport already have AtmosAir units in place. Tampa’s Amalie Arena and the TWA Hotel at JFK airport are adopting bipolar ionization technology, as are large workplaces such as Google’s headquarters in Chicago and San Jose. There are also options for the home, including standalone portable devices and additions to HVAC systems. “Events like this, unfortunately, act as a wake-up call to understand the implications of not addressing indoor air quality,” Larry Sunshine, president of bipolar-ionization company Plasma Air, said. “In the past, improving indoor air quality was oftentimes viewed as a luxury. Now it needs to be viewed as essential.”