Air pollution has been a rising issue in the modern era, contributing to an annual mortality rate between 28,000 and 36,000 deaths in the UK and 239,000 premature deaths across Europe. The World Health Organisation recognises air pollution as a major threat to health. Rightfully, air pollution is a critical area of concern, and revised ambient air quality directives are striving to achieve zero pollution in air, water and soil, across Europe by 2050.
Recognising Regulations Against Air Pollution
The removal of harmful contaminants from gas-phase emissions is a necessary responsibility across industrial and manufacturing sectors.
Clean Air Strategy
The Clean Air Strategy sets out a roadmap to achieve legally binding international targets to reduce emissions of the most damaging air pollutants, including VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), ammonia (NH3), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and sulfur dioxide (SO2) by 2030.
Air Quality Directive
“on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe”
In December 2024, the amended Air Quality Directive aimed to bridge the gap between existing standards and the guidelines set by the WHO. The directive is consistently reviewed in order to stay in line with the goal of net zero pollutants by 2050. The directive aims to target key pollutants including, nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), ammonia (NH3), volatile organic compounds (VOC), benzene and PAHs such as benzo(a)pyrene (BaP).
Why is Air Purification so Critical?
Air pollution affects ecosystems globally, leading to catastrophic environmental and public health concerns. In recent years, there has been a wave of scientific research that highlights the damage caused by contaminants, and the associated impact on health, environment and the economy.
Air pollution has been noted to reduce diversity in species, affect soil and crops, pollute water streams, and cause respiratory, circulatory, and reduced life expectancy.
Sectors of concern
Where activated carbon filtration can make a major contribution to airborne pollutants include:
- Manufacturing and Industrial: Abatement of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
- Construction: Production and storage of asphalt and bitumen.
- Chemical and Pharmaceutical: Mass chemical and heavy metal contamination.
- Agriculture: Ammonia from poultry.
- Transportation: Emissions from biogas and biomethane facilities.
Air Purification Solutions
The regulations and monitoring of harmful pollutants will become more stringent as the 2030 and 2050 goals approach, with many industrial sectors under close scrutiny. Activated carbon filtration, including the use of mobile filters, effectively removes contaminants by adsorbing harmful molecules across a highly porous carbon bed, offering excellent filtration of targeted compounds.
Puragen designs and installs a fleet of market-leading Clean-Flo® mobile carbon filters that provide effective performance for contaminant removal, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other gas phase contaminants, such as ammonia, siloxanes, hydrogen sulfide. Pre-filled with high-quality FiltraCarb® granular (GAC) carbon or extruded pellets, mobile filters deliver robust and effective capture of harmful compounds, contributing to responsible environmental protection.
Suitable for both water and air purification, carbon filters are designed to be seamlessly integrated with existing processes by a simple ‘plug and play’ operation. These units are suitable for long-term rental, as a temporary solution to meet high demand or maintenance of existing fixed filter units. Spent carbon is recycled via thermal reactivation and ready for reuse to eliminate landfill waste and lower carbon footprint.
Puragen – Your Trusted Partner in Air Purification
Our technical team of experts deliver economic and sustainable solutions to air purification. Activated carbon is formulated from organic carbon-rich materials such as coal, coconut shell and wood, with activated carbon mobile filters delivering exceptional results for many applications. We’re proud to offer the ability to reactivate spent carbons at our green-apple award-winning facility.
For further guidance about activated carbon services and air purification, please get in touch with a member of our team today.
