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Air systems treatment guidelines
Problems
The treatment of indoor air not only intended alth. [Link 1 in bibliography] Consequently, the
as a regulation of comfort by controlling tempe- importance of proper cleaning and sanitization
rature and humidity, but more generally as the of environments is evident, without neglecting
maintenance of an environment intended for the aeraulic systems. These are essential for obtai-
use of people who is healthy and comfortable, ning an optimal microclimate, but cleaning them
and constitutes a complex and always relevant plays an essential role as they could constitute
topic. We can describe the air treatment based a source of health risk.
on its two main functions: We quote the Ministry in this regard:
> “Air conditioning systems may present dange-
• Comfort regulation: obtained by tempera- rous sources of bio-logical or chemical pollution
ture and humidity control with the help of ma- especially if poorly designed, in poor condi-
chinery using different technologies, such as tion of cleanliness and maintenance. Colonies
direct expansion air conditioners, heat pumps ; of microorganisms can nestle and multiply in
air handling units (UTA) and so on. plants where there is presence of water, mostly
stagnant, such as: humidifiers and air conditio-
• Maintenance of the health of the air: obtai- ners, vaporizers, heaters, self-frosting refrige-
ned with the control and relative elimination of rators, water systems. “ [Link 2 in bibliography]
pathogens, such as mold, bacteria, fungi and
viruses, thanks to the use of products that act Health risks can be classified into three types:
directly on air through air dispersion, but also toxic, infectious or allergic risk, men-three pa-
through cleaning and disinfection of surfaces of thogens are divided into:
equipment suitable for air treatment. 1) microorganisms (fungi, bacteria, viruses, pa-
rasites, protozoa)
The Indoor Commission, in 2001, assessed 2) indoor allergens (dust mites, plant and ani-
that many chronic diseases are related to It can mal derived allergens)
therefore be said that the treatment of air-con- 3) mold
ditioning agents, intended as an activity aimed Areaulic pipelines
at the prevention and elimination of pathogens
that can spread via air, is a fundamental ele- Over time the ducts can easily become prey to
ment of a more complex process, known as sa- microorganisms such as bacteria, mold and fun-
nitization: the Italian legislation gives the defini- gi which, thanks to the flow of air, significantly
tion of sanitization, in the M.D. no. 274/1997, increase the potential contagion among people
in Art. 1: present in the same environment.
> “are sanitizing activities that concern the com- Indoor pollution - the risks
plex of procedures and operations aimed at
making certain environments healthy the acti- Pollution by fine dust, dust, pollen, fibres and spo-
vities of cleaning and/or disinfection and/or of res can make life really difficult for those suffering
disinfestation or by controlling and improving from allergy (damage to eye mucous membra-
the conditions of the microclimate with regard nes, skin, respiratory system), also accelerating
to temperature, humidity and ventilation or with the deterioration of the equipment present inside
regard to the lighting and the noise” the rooms. Bacteria, viruses and fungus, poten-
tially pathogenic, are the cause of contamination
Air quality is the measure of how harmless and of diseases.
free from pollutants air is. Relative to closed
spaces, i.e. indoor, even the presence of patho-
gens has particular relevance.
aspects of indoor air quality (IAQ), and that the
economic and social damage attributable to in-
door pollution in Italy is likely to be relevant, as
reported on the website of the Ministry of He-
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