Menu
Air pollution may seem like a modern issue, but in reality, the human race has been on a quest to live in a cleaner and healthier environment for centuries, with the history of air filters dating back to the times of Ancient Rome.
The ingenuity of advanced civilisations such as the Romans led to the invention of air filtration systems in dwellings and workplaces between 753 BC and 476 AD, more than 1,000 years before electricity was discovered.
© Dragon Claws / Shutterstock
Over the years, as technology has become increasingly advanced, modern extraction systems are a necessity in workplaces where pollution from dust and fumes is likely to cause health issues.
Statistics from the World Health Organisation reveal almost seven million people die globally every year as a result of inhaling fine particles in polluted air. The resulting medical conditions include lung cancer, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases and respiratory infections.
Ancient civilisations were pioneers in their understanding of indoor air quality and good health. In Egypt, air purifiers were created using charcoal to filter out impurities. They were used by all sections of the population and weren’t confined to wealthy homes.
Today, modern variations of charcoal air purifiers are still used to remove dust and allergens from the air. Bamboo charcoal is a natural air purifier commonly used in homes to remove unwanted odours. It can also be used in refrigerators.
In Ancient Rome, engineers designed advanced aqueducts and water channels for health and hygiene and used early forms of air filtration, such as animal bladders, to protect miners from dust. Mining used hydraulic techniques to blast rock apart and shaft mining to excavate solid rock using tools. Protection was achieved by wearing basic PPE to filter out the dust.
The Industrial Revolution had a negative impact on climate and workers’ health, as it caused widespread pollution across Europe. The primary fuel source was coal and as it burned, pollutants such as sulphur dioxide, smoke and nitrogen dioxide were released.
The resulting air pollution led to respiratory illnesses, with slate quarrymen and miners dying from lung diseases such as pneumoconiosis and silicosis and copper workers suffering from bronchial conditions and tuberculosis after breathing in harmful dust and fumes.
In London, the death rate from bronchitis increased rapidly from 25 to 300 deaths per 100,000 people between 1840 and 1890. Toxic dusts and vapours in the atmosphere were blamed for the increase. In addition, working conditions were more dangerous, with hazardous gas leaks, explosions and fires becoming more prevalent in industrial premises.
Despite the positive impact of the Industrial Revolution, such as the economic growth of the nation and goods becoming more available, the decline in air quality and consequent health effects were an issue.
The UK and the rest of Europe attempted to combat the problems of air pollution through a combination of technological solutions and new laws, such as the Alkali Act 1863, which saw inspectors appointed to monitor the release of harmful muriatic acid gas from alkali works. Over time, their role expanded and they were empowered to monitor the release of other pollutants from all industrial works.
Environmental campaign groups, such as smoke abatement societies, also formed to pressurise the government into doing more to stem the rising tide of air pollution. Over time, the Alkali Act significantly reduced emissions from alkali and other industrial works, becoming the basis for the UK’s modern air pollution policies.
Some of the technological solutions included introducing new gas powered engines to reduce the use of burning coal. New shell or flued boilers were used to make steam to power steam engines.
In the 20th century, efforts to improve air quality were stepped up, with the UK government introducing the Clean Air Act of 1956 to establish smokeless zones and restrict the use of coal. The government realised urgent action was needed following a number of severe smog events.
The Great Smog of London resulted in around 4,000 fatalities when a cloud of lethal smog enveloped the capital between 5th and 9th December 1952. Investigations found it had been caused by a combination of industrial pollution and high-pressure weather, causing a perfect atmosphere for thick smoke and fog to bring London to a standstill and cause serious air pollution.
The Act helped to shape and advance technological innovations in air filtration, as it mandated a reduction in pollution, so if businesses wished to carry on operating, they had to find new ways of making operations more environmentally friendly.
Modern air purifier development dates back to 1848, when American engineer Lewis Haslett patented his device that used a one way clapper valve and moist wool to draw in contaminated air and prevent particles from escaping back into the atmosphere.
A major innovation was the creation of the HEPA filter. A leading solution for filtering pollution, dust, pollen, germs and other hazardous particles from the air, this 20th century invention was a huge step forward.
Starting life as a top secret British government project, HEPA filters were created after scientists dissected a German gas mask found during World War I. They discovered the paper material used in the mask was excellent at capturing chemical smoke to combat the poison gas attacks used in warfare. The British Army Chemical Corps created their own version of the paper to make an “absolute air filter” to purify the air at operational HQ.
In 1942, US scientists needed to protect the 90,000 employees working on the Manhattan Project in Tennessee, where nuclear bombs were being researched. They used British filter projects and gas masks as the basis for their work, with the US Army Chemical Corps collaborating with the National Defence Research Committee to create a filter to remove dangerous radioactive particles from the air.
The result was HEPA filters, which would filter out even the most harmful 0.3-micron diameter particles, although the name wasn’t officially adopted until the 1960s. This military technology marked a massive leap forward in worker safety in all kinds of industrial settings.
Air pollution today is strictly regulated, with regular updates to the Clean Air Act and new UK and EU standards protecting employees and the general population from air pollution. The UK Health and Safety Executive ensures that the 2002 Control of Substances Hazardous to Health legislation, known as COSHH, is implemented to protect the workforce from industrial diseases.
AirBench specialises in reliable fume and dust extraction systems, including downdraught benches, VertEx cross-draught extraction systems , air cleaning systems and wet filtration systems to protect people in all industries from harmful airborne contaminants.
The penalties for breaking UK health and safety laws are significant, with errant manage.
AirBench Ltd are the UK’s leading manufacturer of downdraught benches and cross draught extraction systems. We have more than 10,000 extraction systems in service in the UK and overseas. Along with our range of coolant mist filters and air cleaning systems, we are actively helping businesses across many industries solve their workplace dust and fume issues.
If you'd like to try an AirBench product for FREE simply book a demo and we'll bring one to you.
If you’d like to try an AirBench product for FREE simply book a demo and we’ll bring one to you.