Evaluation of Low-Pressure Drop Antimicrobial and Hybrid Air Filters

Low-pressure-drop aerosol filtration media for removing biological aerosols are investigated. Traditional non-woven media are enhanced with reactive chemistries forming Self Decontaminating Materials (SDMs). The AATCC methods 100 and 147 were found to be suitable for screening SDM filter media for antimicrobial activity. Method 147 is preferred since it is adequate for screening and much easier to perform than Method 100. Small sample disks (5 mm), as in the Kirby-Bauer method, can be substituted for the normal swatch used in Method 147. The screening method performance was predictive of the performance in bio-aerosol tests. The iodinated polymer resin based media, quaternary amine based media, and the N-halamine based media all proved effective in enhancing protection during bio-aerosol testing and merit further investigation. The original document contains color images.