When the air has been contaminated with excessive dust, mold spores, or other small particles, the use of an air scrubber is necessary. An air scrubber consists of two basic parts: a blower and filters. The blower keeps air moving in one direction at high speeds through an array of filters. Air usually moves through three filters; one for large particles, one for medium-sized particles, and a HEPA* filter designed for capturing microscopic particles including mold spores.

When contamination is only in a small area (a room or a small hallway), a technician may decide to contain only the affected zone within a plastic barrier. The air scrubber is placed inside the barrier and clean air from the scrubber’s output is ducted into another area. This creates relative negative air pressure within the affected area, assuring that no contaminated air leaves the barrier. Under these circumstances, an air scrubber doubles as a negative air machine.

*HEPA (high efficiency particulate arrestance) filters are rated to capture 99.7% of all particles 0.3 microns and larger. A true HEPA filter is approved, dated, and initialed by its inspector before shipped to its user.