Cornell University Ergonomics Web
The concept of a breathing-zone filtration (BZF) system.
The concept of a breathing-zone filtration (BZF) system is analogous to that of a respirator for office workers. The BZF system continuously draws aged, polluted air through a filtration system to remove airborne contaminants, thereby constantly refreshing the air available to workers in an office.
Furniture-integrated BZF systems.
A furniture-integrated breathing-zone filtration system, like the CenterCore Airflow system, can be mounted centrally in a workstation cluster to create an umbrella of filtered, clean air for workers. The filtration system comprises a combination activated carbon and polymer filter, to remove volatile organic compounds and larger particulates, wrapped around a HEPA filter. The HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter removes 99.99% of particles down to 0.3 microns in diameter. When used continuously, this combination of absorbent and mechanical filtration creates the envelope of clean air.
Examples of freestanding BZF units.
The principle of a BZF system can be incorporated into freestanding units that can be placed in offices, conference rooms, or smoking rooms, to continuously clean the air.