AiRazor Technologies

 

1. What’s the problem with PM2.5 anyway?

 

• The biggest culprit of air pollution is PM2.5 – fine particles measuring less than 40 times less than a human hair!

• Recognized as a ‘global killer’ by the World Health Organization (WHO) which linked exposure to urban air pollution with cases of lung and bladder cancer and millions of deaths across the world

• Inhaling PM2.5 is bad for your health, as PM2.5 easily enters our lungs, and blood stream.

• PM2.5 inhalation causes wheezing, coughing, asthma, and eye irritations. PM2.5 is especially bad for young and old folks.

• Indoors sources of PM2.5 include cooking, cleaning, smoking and pets – plus outside PM2.5 particles seeping into our homes through windows and doors.

• In Singapore, the National Environment Agency now includes PM2.5 in its daily air pollution measurements. You can check the PM2.5 levels in Singapore by visiting NEA.

• At AiRazor, we measure not only particles that are 2.5 microns in size, but also nearly ten times smaller down to 0.3 microns! You be sure that AiRazor products remove even tiny particles.

 

2. How many particles in the air we breathe are there?

 

• This depends on where you are, and what is happening with air pollution.

• Normal indoor air contains particles of 0.3 to 2.5 micron size in amounts of hundreds of millions (yes, we were surprised at this too!).

• During a haze event this can easily climb to over 10 billion particles for every cubic metre of air. This is quite amazing when you know each of us breathes in about 11 m3 of air each day!

• At AiRazor we believe the air you breathe should be as clean as the water you drink. You wouldn’t drink a glass of cloudy water with millions of particles in it, so why breathe dirty air?

 

3. Does AiRazor Technology Work?

 

• Yes - AiRazor has conducted extensive scientific tests in homes, offices, hotels, and schools under a range of conditions, to test the efficiency of our products at removing PM 2.5 particles.

• The AiRazor devices have been developed at the National University of Singapore, using strict scientific and engineering controls, with advanced instrumentation for measuring particles down to 0.3 microns.

• The AiRazor filters can completely remove all PM2.5 particles in the air passing through them, and in rooms we typically reduce 85-90% of PM2.5 particles from the air in less than 1 hour of operation, with levels of PM2.5 continuing to be suppressed for as long as the device is running, with doors and windows remaining closed.

• AiRazor Technology has been tested under real haze-smoke conditions in homes and school classrooms in Riau Province, Sumatra.

 

4. What’s so different about the AiRazor system compared to normal air purifiers?

 

• Good air quality is not just about the efficiency of the device in removing PM2.5 at the filter of the device itself, but more about removing PM2.5 where it matters most, i.e. in the air that you are actually breathing in - hence our catch phrase ‘Breathe Easy’!

• AiRazor has selected, engineered and designed its devices to give the best performance possible for PM2.5 reduction, at the best value for money.

• We optimize the flow of air to achieve the best balance between air flow and PM2.5 removal. Our products use the power of the device to send as much air through it, in as short a time as possible, to quickly remove and suppress PM2.5 levels.

• Our filters also have an active odour-compound removal layer to help suppress the unpleasant ‘burnt’ smell often associated with smoke-haze

 

5. Are you experts in environmental pollution?

 

• The developer of AiRazor products, Dr Jeff Obbard is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering, at the National University of Singapore (NUS).

• He has worked at NUS for over 16 years, and has also been Director at two research institutes at NUS. You find his details on LinkedIn

 

6. How did AiRazor start?

 

• During the severe haze event in Singapore June 2013, Dr Obbard was trying his best to protect his young family from smoke inhalation at home, and started improvising and inventing. Soon he had his first working prototype.

• The National University of Singapore (NUS) called together professors to form the Haze Task Force Group in June 2013. Dr Obbard’s ideas were well received, and hailed as the ‘Obbard System’. He was then awarded some research funds by NUS to develop the system further.

• Dr Obbard, together with Mr Andrew Yap and Mr  K.J. Tan, started AiRazor Technologies Pte Ltd., as a spin-off company of NUS.

• The AiRazor Research and Development office is on the NUS campus and its main office, in downtown Singapore.

 

7. What’s so good about AiRazor Technology?

 

• Dr Obbard felt that a lot of people were paying far too much for controlling PM2.5 haze pollution indoors. This is when he had the idea to convert a ventilation fan into an air purifier to clear smoke, PM2.5 and odour from indoor air.

• Sounds simple? Well, we thought so too, but it has actually been hard work to get the system and engineering dynamics correct.

• We place high priority on achieving the biggest reduction in PM2.5 where it matters most, i.e. in the air we breathe, not just at the outlet of the device.

• There’s a big difference. Next time you see an advert for an expensive air purifier claiming 99.9% PM2.5 removal, ask yourself the question – “is that removal in the air I actually breathe in, or just at the outlet of the filter?” Chances are that unless you walk around carrying the air purifier with you, then you won’t get a great result.

• Even if you did, then why pay hundreds of dollars for an expensive air purifier when an AiRazor device works just as well, if not better?!

 

8. Are AiRazor products as effective as more expensive air purifiers at PM2.5 removal?

 

• Yes - Scientific tests conducted independently by an Authority in Singapore have shown that even in a large room, an AiRazor device was more effective at PM2.5 removal than a typical, branded air purifier.

• This also means that on a per unit basis, the cost of PM2.5 removal by AiRazor products is much lower.

• AiRazor products have been tested in a variety of environments, under smoke-haze conditions, including schools, homes, offices and hotels – all with great results for PM2.5 reduction. We have sought for and benefitted from the advice of the National Environment Agency’s Environmental Health Institute in Singapore.

 

9. Have AiRazor products been tested in actual haze conditions?

 

• Yes – After testing under simulated haze conditions in Singapore, AiRazor technology was then taken to Riau Province, Sumatra (the source of much of Singapore’s haze).

• In Pekanbaru school classrooms and homes were experiencing PM2.5 levels over nine times higher than the WHO’s standard of 25ug/m3!

• AiRazor’s products achieved 85% reduction of PM2.5 levels in school classrooms and homes!

• These results were achieved after 1 to 2 hour treatment – even though the school classroom and home tested were not completely sealed from the smoke outside.

• AiRazor's technology works!

 

10. Can I change the filter in my AiRazor?

 

• Yes – our systems are designed so that you can change the filter in seconds.

• The frequency that you will need to change the filter depends on how dirty the air is.

• Under normal conditions, it could be a couple of months, but it could be about 2 weeks under very hazy conditions.

• Each AiRazor filter comes with a handy guide to tell you when to change it.

 

11. I have air-conditioning at home/work – do I need an AiRazor?

 

• Surprisingly, we have found that some air-conditioners (AC), may actually increase levels of PM2.5.  This may be due to the AC not being well maintained. 

• This is where an AiRazor can help - we have found that our devices can take care of the PM2.5 from an AC. You can run an AiRazor system with your AC running to make sure PM2.5 levels are kept low, and enjoy cool air.

 

12. I already have a ceiling fan and ventilation fan at home – do i still need an AiRazor?

 

• Yes - No matter how clean your home or office, PM2.5 is so small that it is easily stirred up and suspended in indoor air.

• This means ceiling and ventilation fans can actually make things worse.

• An AiRazor will take care of this problem, so that you can continue to use your other ventilation and ceiling fans as normal.

 

13. I don't feel much air flowing out the front of my AiRazor System. Is that normal?

 

• As you are converting a ventilation fan into an air purifier with the device working hard to filter out PM2.5 in the room, the outflow of air will be less than normal. However, the air delivery is still strong (it is spread over the 18 inch surface of the filter, so airflow feels lower). 

• If you would like added ventilation in your room, then please use a second ventilation fan in normal mode, without the filter.

 

14. Do I need to shut my doors and windows when using my AiRazor?

 

• We recommend to keep doors and windows closed while you are running your AiRazor device when conditions are hazy outside, otherwise it is okay to leave a small window open for ventilation.

• The AiRazor system is powerful enough to suppress PM2.5 seeping in through a small window or two.

 

15. How do I use my AiRazor to get the best result?

 

• We recommend turning on your AiRazor device, to ‘full’ power to clear the air of PM2.5 for the first 20-30 minutes, and then to turn down the setting to ‘medium’ or ‘low’.

• If it is hazy or smoggy outside, you may want to leave it running on ‘high’ for longer.

• All fans that are used with AiRazor Filter and Cover should comply with the Singapore Safety Mark, or the equivalent in your home country.

• We recommend that for optimal performance, you purchase the complete AiRazor AR-100 and/or AR-200 Systems.

 

16. What is the difference between AR-100 and AR-200 systems?

 

• The main difference between the two systems is the area of floor space that they serve.  

• The AR-100 serves up to 45 sq. metres of floor space (suitable for large living rooms and  offices), and the AR-200 up to 25 sq. metres (suitable for most bedrooms, and smaller offices).

• The AR-200 system is based on a turbine ventilation fan, is quieter than the AR-100 system and includes more functions (i.e. a timer, a tilt and oscillation mode, as well as a remote control) and is therefore priced higher than the AR-100.

• Both systems are modular, meaning that larger floor areas can be served by additional units.

 

17. Where do you ship?

 

• We are launching in Singapore in June followed by Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong and China by October this year.

• Please fill in your details in the enquiry form.

 

18. What is the shelf life of the filters?

 

• If stored under clean and dry conditions, filters can be kept for 3 years. 

• However it is recommended to purchase filters annually instead of purchasing in bulk. 

 

19. Which type of ventilation fan is suitable to be used with the Fan Filter AR-102?

 

• The Fan Filter AR-102 can only be used on 18-inch round floor, standing or wall fans with 16-inch rotor blades.

 

20. When do I change my filters?

 

• The Filter is designed to last 500 hours based on 8-hr usage per day. That translates to approximately 3 months under normal conditions, PSI of 50 or below. If PSI is consistently about 100, then we recommend the change every 90 days, and so on.

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