Can innovative air filtration technologies replace conventional filters in reducing exposure and health risks from airborne pollutants?

Abstract

Air pollution has posed a persistent threat to human health since the industrial revolution, and despite recent improvements, remains a significant risk. While most individuals in developed cities experience limited direct health impacts, the long latency and indirect mechanisms of air pollution cause its effects to frequently be underestimated. Additionally, exposure trends strongly follow socioeconomic inequality, with poorer areas often facing higher levels of pollution. Conventional filtration systems such as HEPA filters are widely used to mitigate exposure, but are limited in scope, for example being unable to remove gaseous pollutants. This project aims to evaluate the potential of nano- and bio-engineered filters to complement and/or replace conventional systems, using a critical literature review comparing lab-scale studies of various filters and their filtration efficiency, pressure drop, safety, and sustainability against established standards. The project concludes that innovative filtration systems have a strong replacement potential overall, with nano-engineered and hybrid nano-bio-engineered filters showing the greatest potential.