Study to Determine the Difference in Reduction of Bioaerosols in a Long-term Care Facility

This is a CONTROLLED PROSPECTIVE COHORT study of a long-term care facility. At the start of the study a dedicated section A of the facility ventilation system will have routine HVAC filters of the same dimensions installed, while section B of the same facility ventilation system will have C-POLAR (cationic polymeric coated) HVAC filters installed. There will be continuous Indoor Air Quality monitors (PM 2.5, CO2, VOC, Radon, Temp, and RH) installed at different vent locations throughout Cottonwoods for the duration of the study. Air samples with an Airport MD8 BAMS machine will be taken once a week at various vent locations at the long-term care facility. The aim of this study is to determine the difference in reduction of bioaerosols in a long-term care facility with MERV 13 C-POLAR (cationic polymeric coated) HVAC filters compared to conventional MERV 13 HVAC filters.

Primary Endpoint:

This study aims to determine the reduction of bioaerosols (BAMS) in a facility with a C-POLAR HVAC filter building intervention versus conventional filters.

Secondary Endpoints:

• Volatile organic compound (VOC)
• Radon determination
• Static, passive particulate determination from air
• Air microbiome analysis
• Air Quality and Respiratory Staff Survey

Radon gas testing, particulate matter testing (PM2.5) [fine inhalable particles, with diameters that are generally 2.5 micrometers and smaller]. Carbon dioxide testing (CO2), VOCs testing [volatile organic compounds (airborne chemicals)], relative humidity (RH) testing [it is a measure of the actual amount of water vapor in the air compared to the total amount of vapor that can exist in the air at its current temperature], and temperature readings.

Inclusion criteria

• Any resident, staff, and any individual who enters the long term care facility will be in a broad sense, involved in this study, as the MERV 13 HVAC filters will be installed within the HVAC system and will not allow anyone to not participate in the study who enters the facility. It is impracticable to carry out this research of comparing two different HVAC filters in an active long term care setting by receiving prior consent from all individuals who may enter, such as vendors or visitors. This research involves no more than minimal risk and may or may not improve air quality or minimize bioaerosols in the facility.

Exclusion criteria

• Does not wish to enter the long-term care facility until completion of study.