The overall goal of Copper Air Quality Program is to demonstrate that copper can be used in HVAC system components to reduce exposure to infectious agents from ventilation systems. Specifically, the program team will:
- Perform a theoretical study of air flow and deposition in a cooling assembly (coils, fins, condensate drip pans) and ducts; design and fabricate an experimental set-up for simulating real-world operation of cooling systems with aluminum and copper cooling assemblies; and, carry out baseline testing of these systems.
- Compare the growth of microbes in simulated HVAC systems containing copper cooling assemblies with systems containing aluminum components. Compare the microbe concentrations on cooling coil assembly surfaces, in condensate and in air leaving the system.
- Demonstrate copper's ability to control microbial growth in real-world ventilation systems, with test sites in military settings, and identify specific maintenance requirements.
- Correlate the data gathered during the laboratory study and the field trials to asses the potential impact of this technology in relation to Green Building initiatives.
This program is based upon work supported by the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command under Contract No. W81XWH-07-C-0054. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity.