SARS-CoV-2, influenza, and the common cold pose a serious threat to public safety and health. They are highly transmissible and can stay airborne for hours. They can also migrate beyond 25 feet indoors. According to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), inadequate ventilation is the leading source of indoor air quality risks, including airborne pathogens. Building owners and operators have never been able to verify, manage, or communicate real-world ventilation performance and aerosol removal in occupied spaces due to limitations in field assessment tools.
SafeTraces and the National Institutes of Health collaborated to develop the first platform for field verification of ventilation performance and filtration performance for aerosol removal within shared occupancy spaces. This program uses patented DNA-tagged aerosol tracer technology that simulates respiratory emissions and airborne pathogens.
“The importanceof the indoor environment for human health continues to be a top concern as communities move to shared spaces,” stated Sean McCradyUL’s director of Asset and Sustainability, Real Estate and Properties. “The UL Verified Ventilation & Filtration Mark empowers owners and building operators to harness the power and science to clearly and concisely communicate a building’s aerosol rate while building trust with building occupants.”
“Public is demanding transparency regarding ventilation, filtering and other engineering controls that are critical to ensuring a safe and healthy environment,” said SafeTraces CEO. Erik Malmstrom. “In addition, building owners want to verify the HVAC system’s performance to improve public trust, confidence, peace of mind, as well as to differentiate properties on the basis of health and wellness. The verification mark clearly indicates that ventilation and filter controls in high-density buildings provide N95-like exposure mitigation. This program can be very beneficial to any real estate operator and owner.
SafeTraces’ UL Verified Ventilation & Filtration program is being introduced because of increasing health concerns regarding reoccupying shared spaces. Some polls indicate that nearly 90% of the public are concerned about workplace safety. The program was largely driven by corporate, commercial, or institutional real estate operators who wanted to improve, communicate, differentiate on indoor air quality (IAQ), ventilation and filtration with direct financial consequences linked to health & safety capital and operating expenditures, sustainability, and health & safety.
About SafeTraces, Inc.
SafeTraces is committed ensuring that the air we breathe, and the food we consume, are safe. This is done by harnessing DNA’s power. The company provides industry-leading technology solutions for indoor safety and quality, as well as food traceability. SafeTraces provides support to a wide range Fortune 100, commercial real-estate, and government clients around the globe. Find out more at www.safetraces.com.
SOURCE SafetyTraces, Inc.
