ISO 10121-3:2022

Molecules are typically 1,000 to 10,000 times smaller than the most penetrating particles that pass through HEPA and ULPA filters. Typical hazardous gases in outdoor air are volatile organic compounds (VOCs), sulphur dioxides (SO₂), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and ozone (O₃).

A cost-effective method of controlling harmful gaseous pollutants is molecular filtration. It can be used both in outdoor air systems (also known as make-up air systems) to control pollutants and in recirculation systems to control internally generated pollutants.

All Camfil molecular filters utilise a technique known as adsorption. In simple terms, this means that the molecules adhere to materials with an extremely large surface area. Almost all Camfil molecular filters use activated carbon or activated alumina as the active ingredient. Molecular filters are sometimes also called chemical filters or gas phase filters.

The series of standards ISO 10121 provides test methods for determining the filtration efficiencies of molecular filter media (ISO 10121-1) and molecular air filters (ISO 10121-2) against various gases.

ISO 10121-3 is the first classification system for molecular air filters supplying outdoor air for general ventilation systems. It contains comprehensive filter classes for the most common air pollutants in outdoor and indoor air. This facilitates the selection of the correct molecular filter, depending on the local air quality.

A number of studies have shown that hazardous gases, which are often present in air pollutants, can be associated with numerous negative health effects.

Ozone (O₃) is formed in our atmosphere by the interaction of UV light with gases produced by various combustion processes. Ozone poses a respiratory hazard. The air quality guidelines by WHO set a maximum mean exposure concentration of 60 μg/m³ for a period of 8 hours during peak season.

Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) is formed as a direct result of combustion processes. NO₂ is not only responsible for haze and acid rain, but is also harmful to our lungs, aggravating asthma symptoms and increasing susceptibility to infections. The air quality guidelines by WHO set a maximum mean annual exposure concentration of 10 μg/m³.

Most sulphur dioxide (SO₂) is released from the burning of fossil fuels in power plants and industrial processes. Volcanoes are another known source of SO₂. The health effects of SO₂ are similar to those of O₃ and NO₂. The WHO air quality guidelines set a maximum daily exposure concentration of 40 μg/m³.

Toluene (C₇H₈) is an organic molecule used by the standard to represent the very large group of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC). The number of sources of VOC is endless and can be found both indoors and outdoors: These include solvents, paints, building materials, combustion processes, oil and gas, etc. Due to the diversity of their chemical properties, the effects of VOC can range from an unpleasant but harmless odour to a lethal effect when inhaled or causing long-term effects such as cancer.

With the clear and easy-to-understand filter classes from ISO 10121-3, it is now quick and easy to select the right molecular air filter for a particular supply air application based on how efficient molecular filters are at removing the four gases. The selection is similar to the selection of a suitable particle filter according to ISO 16890.