Hamilton gets $3.6M from feds for air purification upgrades, reducing virus transmission

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Published June 2, 2022 at 4:41 pm

Hamilton gets $3.6M from feds for air purification upgrades to reduce virus transmission
Hamilton received $3.6 million from the federal government for air purification improvements at city facilities to reduce airborne and surface contaminants.

The City of Hamilton announced Thursday (June 2) that it has received $3.6 million from the federal government for air purification improvements across city facilities.

The upgrades will be made over the next few months with the goal of improving air quality and reducing airborne and surface contaminants, such as bacteria, pollutants, and viruses — including COVID-19.

Earlier this year, the city completed the installation of in-duct air purification systems at Macassa and Wentworth Lodge. This week, crews finished system upgrades at City Hall, Lister Block, Provincial Offences Administration (POA) office, and the Red Hill Family Centre in collaboration with CityLAB and participating students.

Through the CityLAB program, Mohawk College students from the Engineering Technology program gain hands-on experience with in-person monitoring, sampling of equipment, ensuring performance standards, collecting data from the web-based systems, and auditing for new installations.

“Following the completion of this phase of work, the city will use the remaining funds to support improvements at additional city-owned facilities across Hamilton,” reads the City of Hamilton’s official media release, “with a focus on areas that serve vulnerable populations, high occupancies and where activities take place that are at higher risk of infectious aerosol particle generation such as senior centres, recreation centres and arenas.”

A tender for the remaining improvements at city facilities as part of this federal investment is expected to be released later this year, with all improvements being completed by December 2023.

Reme-Led air purification systems are Health Canada approved and work by absorbing moisture and converting it into low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide vapour, which helps to sterilize the air by removing bacteria, pollutants, allergens, and toxins. Benefits of installing air purification systems on-site also include relieving asthma symptoms, odour neutralization, and improved sleep quality.

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