Arkansas HVACR NewsMagazine May 2021

HVACR NewsMagazine May 2021

State National Chapter News

What is a MERV rating?

Got Questions about

Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values, or MERVs , report a filter's ability to capture larger particles between 0.3 and 10 microns (µm). • This value is helpful in comparing the performance of different filters • The rating is derived from a test method developed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) [see www.ashrae.org]. • The higher the MERV rating the better the filter is at trapping specific types of particles.

MOLD HAZARDS

“The Arkansas Department of Health has broad overview of environmental conditions and hazards that affect the citizens of Arkansas. Through our Mold program, the agency identifies and quantifies exposures to environmental contaminants; conducts risk assessments and risk communication; provides surveillance for adverse health effects; and provides health-based guidance on levels of exposure to such contaminants. You will find more information about the Mold program in the documentation listed below.” Downloads Arkansas Mold Investigation Advisory Board Final Report Facts about Molds in Indoor Environments Guidance for Mold Cleanup This information is from the Arkansas Department of Health at https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programs- services/topics/mold-hazards We direct you to the site as lots of folks are talking about virus and molds and things that go “ Creep in the Night ” . In other words, there is lots of information out there — not all of it exactly accurate. Tracking sources and evaluating their perspective is super important before making “ stuff you hear ” part of your sales pitch. The first download above is dated but not necessarily out of date. It is the final report of the ARKANSAS MOLD INVESTIGATION ADVISORY BOARD, November 2012, initiated by Act 341 of 2011. All three are interesting and worthy of a read before you get too involved in mold conversations.

Information available from the EPA at https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/what-merv- rating-1