Some Vacuum Cleaners are aerosol generators!

A vacuum cleaner is fertile breeding ground for bacteria. This is because several features of a vacuum’s design make it an inviting place for bacteria to reproduce and spread, both in the air and across surfaces.

For starters, vacuum cleaners are designed to create negative pressure inside, causing air to flow in sucking debris on one side into a collection area and exhale air on the other. Even though manufacturers put in place filters to trap particles that might be emitted from the exhaust system, these filters are not foolproof. Thus, bacteria, viruses and fungi are released into the air when the vacuum cleaner is running. “Vacuum cleaners often capture dust inefficiently and may serve as aerosol generators, collecting dust and its pollutants and returning them to the environment,” writes Dr. Eugene Cole, director of research at LRC Indoor Testing & Research.

Second, vacuum cleaner collection bags are petri dishes for infection-causing bacteria, like Salmonella, where they can quickly multiply in a short period of time. Bagless vacuums reduce this problem, but the collection reservoir needs to be sanitized on a regular basis to prevent the build-up of germs and a reduction in performance. The best way to keep bacteria from growing and spreading is to use disposable paper bags and a HEPA filter.

Another cause for concern is vacuum cleaner brushes, which rarely—if ever—get disinfected. These brushes collect germs, which are then spread across surfaces when the vacuum cleaner is in operation. The pollutants also become airborne, reducing indoor air quality.

In a study published in the Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association, scientists examined three types of vacuums—vacuums with paper bags, bagless vacuums with HEPA filters and vacuums with both paper bags and HEPA filters—in a stainless-steel, environmentally controlled chamber.

They introduced 2.5 micrometer particles into the stainless-steel chamber through an intake pipe and ran the vacuums for seven minutes to determine how many particles were emitted in each scenario. They found that vacuums with paper bags released 29.4 micrograms of particles per cubic meter, bagless vacuums with HEPA filters released 1.08 micrograms and vacuums with both paper bags and HEPA filters released 0.005 micrograms of particles per cubic meter. In other words, the last type of vacuum cleaner offered 99.9% filtration.

At Avery Cleaning, we care deeply about the health of our employees and customers. Thanks to our meticulous research, we have put in place practices that remove dirt in the safest way possible. We use brushless backpack vacuums with single-use paper bags. Our vacuums also have carbon and HEPA filtration. These machines mitigate the spread of unwanted matter while offering powerful suction technology. And, most importantly, each of our units is carefully maintained and decontaminated when brought from one building to another.

Call Avery Cleaning today to learn more about our cleaning services and how we can help you maintain a healthy indoor environment. We are available for a free estimate at (860) 503-8333.