Preliminary Study on the Effectiveness of Low-Cost Air Cleaning Devices in Reducing

Indoor Air Particulate Matter During the Haze Season in Indonesia

Nanis Sakti Ningrum1, Jean Pierre Wack2,

1
Senior Analyst in Kopernik, Bali, Indonesia
2
Technical Consultant of UNICEF, Jakarta, Indonesia

Presenting author’s email address: nanis.sakti@kopernik.info

Biography of Presenting Author (78/80 words):

Nanis Sakti Ningrum, a Senior Analyst for Kopernik’s Solutions Lab, led an experimentation project testing the
effectiveness of Haze Emergency Kits in reducing people’s health risk during a haze crisis. She has an
environmental engineering degree from NTU Singapore and a joint master’s degree in Hydroinformatics from
universities in France, Germany, and the UK. Prior to working at Kopernik, Ms. Sakti Ningrum was as an engineer
with a Singaporean consulting firm and a research assistant at NTU University.

Abstract (146/150 words):

Communities affected by fine air pollution particles (particles with a diameter less than 2.5 microns; PM 2.5),
produced by fires in Indonesia, require more cost-effective methods to reduce health risks. Built-in air cleaning
devices effectively reduce indoor PM2.5, however high retail price prohibits access to such products in developing
countries. We identified an alternative low-tech air cleaning device known as a Fan-Filter Unit (FFU) which could
be more appropriate for rural areas affected by haze. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a FFU for use in
extreme air pollution events. We tested FFUs against other “haze hacks” used to combat indoor air pollution in
houses and classrooms. Our findings show that FFUs are able to reduce PM2.5 three to thirteen times more
effectively than other low-cost solutions and that using FFUs to replace existing measures in haze-free classrooms
could double the performance with minimal additional costs.

Keywords: air quality, low-cost, air cleaner, haze, particulate matter

Extended Abstract (999/1000 words):

The 2015 Southeast Asian haze crisis resulting from massive forest fires in Indonesia caused severe health issues
across the region (Bell, 2017). The fires burned biomass, producing PM 2.5 which penetrated deep into people’s
lungs causing serious respiratory problems. (Chen et al. 2017, Xing et al. 2015 Zhang et al. 2010). In Indonesia,
24 people died and around 600,000 cases of acute respiratory infections were reported by Indonesia’s Disaster
Management Agency (BNPB, 2015). The greatest impact from breathing these particles is felt by vulnerable
groups such as the elderly, pregnant women, babies and children.

Health risk mitigations from Governments and civil organizations have been focused on providing masks, oxygen
houses and medical treatment for people in affected areas. Recommendations from authorities to haze-proof
buildings, such as the MOE’s (Ministry of Education) haze-free classroom design, suggest the use of wet dacron
(polyester pillow filling) to cover ventilation gaps and/or the use of fans or aquariums to improve indoor air quality
[MOEC, 2016]. However, the effectiveness of these low-tech measures have not been proven under a disaster risk
reduction framework. Social feedback received from a co-design workshop facilitated by a UN Agency
emphasized the need for human-centered solutions for school emergency plans, Haze Emergency Kits (HEK) and
air quality information systems [Pulse Lab, 2017].

In similar wildfire cases in the US and Canada, portable air cleaners have been used effectively to reduce indoor
PM 2.5 and lessen respiratory symptoms. (Mott et al.2002, Henderson et al. 2005, Barn et al. 2007). Air cleaners
using HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Absorber) filters have been proven to reduce PM 2.5 levels from 58 to
85 percent in wood stove use cases in homes (Hart et al. 2011). The high retail price of such air cleaners however
is prohibitive for developing countries such as Indonesia. Instead, low-cost air cleaner alternatives are emerging,
which use a HEPA filter attached to a standard fan known as a Fan-Filter Unit (FFU). FFUs are currently advertised
to curb urban indoor air pollution in countries like China with a starting price of US$35. Such devices could
potentially improve indoor air quality during haze seasons in Indonesia, yet no studies have been fully dedicated
to evaluate the effectiveness of FFUs for this particular use.

Our study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of FFUs in reducing indoor PM 2.5 levels when air quality has reached
hazardous levels (PM 2.5 above 300µg/m3). Between May-December 2017, four sets of tests were performed with
slightly different objectives and intended uses for FFUs:

1) A FFU was compared against other low-cost haze-hacking methods to reduce particulate matter
during the 2015 haze episode in Palangka Raya.
2) A FFU was tested in a closed 30m3 garage to calculate the particulate removal efficiency.
3) A FFU was tested in a 28m3 wooden and 56m3 concrete living room of two typical local houses
in Palangka Raya. this test was part of the rapid prototyping work for the HEK.
4) A FFU was used to improve the Indonesian Government’s existing haze-free classroom design
created to reduce exposure levels in schools. The test was conducted in a 192m3 size classroom
in Tangerang, occupied by 25 students. Figure 1 below depicts the current (v1) and proposed
design (v2).

Figure 1. Haze-free classroom design (v2) proposed to improve the current design (v1)

In test one the FFU reduced the initial PM 2.5 levels by 93-95%, as compared to putting wet dacron (33%) and a
wet t-shirt (7%) over a similar fan. Similar tests conducted for air bubbling resulted in a 26% PM 2.5 reduction.
The second test evaluated the FFUs particulate matter removal as an independent decay process (Figure 2). The
PM 2.5 removal efficiency, defined as the rate of PM 2.5 reduction when FFU is turned on minus the rate of PM
2.5 reduction when FFU is turned off, was calculated to be 79%.
 Figure 2. FFU particle removal efficiency

The third test indicated that the same FFU used in test two was much less effective when it was used in larger
sized room. Findings from tests in a wooden house suggested that the proposed room sealing measures resulted in
overheating, therefore further tests with different isolation measures need to be conducted. Test four concluded
that the proposed haze-free classroom design using three FFUs could improve the performance by almost double,
with an additional cost of only US$60 per classroom. Table 1 below outlines the comparison in terms of
performance, cost, and installation time.

Table 1. Comparison between haze-free classroom design v1 and v2 (using FFU)

FFUs allow low-income families in haze-prone areas to have an affordable option to safeguard their health. FFUs
combined with room isolation measures and N-95 masks are components of the HEK prototype. A low price point,
locally-sourced components, and its adaptability to different housing types, makes the HEK appropriate as a mass-
distributed device for relief efforts. Future research includes a comprehensive FFU performance evaluation, a
commercial viability study for producing the HEK for sale and developing a user acquisition strategy. Further
prototyping of the HEK will involve community engagement to identify design requirements, while factoring in
people’s socio-economic status, habits and health conditions. Piloting the HEK will include disseminating a low-
cost air quality sensor for monitoring indoor air quality during the 2018 haze season. This work could eventually
serve as a case study for rapid prototyping products in the development sector.

Tests related to haze-free classrooms can be used to influence the national policy for schools in relation to disaster
preparedness. Other uses for FFUs in the disaster risk reduction framework could also be to provide clean air for
evacuees in the case of volcanic ash fall currently experienced intermittently in Bali, Flores and Sumatra.
Altogether, the affordability and simplicity of FFUs shows huge potential for development impact in strengthening
people health resilience, an important element of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030.
Finally, FFUs could still be promoted to tackle deteriorating indoor air quality issues in urban pollution contexts
for any Tier-1 cities in Indonesia.

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