Good indoor air quality in buildings depends to a great extent on the effectiveness of the HVAC air filtration system. Originally designed primarily to keep heating and cooling coils free of dust and dirt accumulation, these systems have evolved to keep up with the changing needs of the building occupants.

Where dust and dirt were once the only target of these systems, concerns over gaseous, chemical, biological, and radiological contaminants have resulted in new demands being placed on air filtration systems. The pandemic has further focused attention on the need for clean, conditioned air.

To meet this need, manufacturers have made changes to existing filtration systems that improve their performance. New technologies have evolved that can be used to effectively reduce or eliminate different types of contaminants. The result is that managers today have options. To make the best use of these options, facility managers must first understand the types of airborne contaminants found in their facilities and what systems work best to remove those contaminants.