A few months after receiving a donation of an air purification system from Goodman Manufacturing, the Humane Society of St. Lucie County in Florida has seen a decrease in upper respiratory inflections (URIs) in the shelter's cats and kittens and, for the first time, has been able to decrease the number of animals that needed to be euthanized due to these infections.

The donation came on the heels of last fall's hurricanes that left hundreds of cats and kittens homeless. Due to overcrowding, the facility's air became easily polluted, promoting the rapid spread of URIs in the shelter.

"A decrease in the number of animals that need to be euthanized is almost unheard of in shelters with a rapidly spreading disease," said Kim Dean, board president for the society. "The success of our animal shelter's new air purification system has prompted other shelters in the area to investigate similar systems for their facilities."

Goodman's GHEPA600M mobile filtration unit contains a True HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) air cleaner that captures 99.97 percent of harmful airborne pollutants 0.3 microns and larger. Goodman also gave the shelter a UVX Series commercial/residential ultraviolet air purifier, which can treat the entire air duct at one time, destroying up to 99.9 percent of the biological and chemical contaminants in the air stream, according to Dan Davis, Goodman product manager.

"With these two systems combined, virtually all harmful bacteria can be destroyed," said Davis. "It is the ideal system to help prevent harmful health complications attributed to air quality and is an excellent system for the elderly, young children, and anyone who suffers from allergies. We are delighted the system worked so quickly for the animal shelter."

Publication date: 03/14/2005