Particulate matter: the invisible danger in industrial environments
Halls full of running machines, people welding, sawing and grinding, logistics companies — they are the heart of the Dutch economy. But those who look closely — or rather, measure — will notice something else: the air at these companies is full of invisible particulate matter. These microscopically small particles pose a danger to both people and machines. According to Joes van Hees, owner of CleanAirNederland.com, it is high time companies tackled this problem structurally.
From smoke odour to particulate reduction: the story of Clean Air Nederland
Joes van Hees is no stranger to the world of air purification. His career began at a large international player, but his entrepreneurial spirit eventually led him to found CleanAirNederland.com (not to be confused with Clean Air Nederland, the Dutch organisation that advocates for the interests of non-smokers). For the past 6 years, he has been the exclusive representative of the Swedish company Njord Clean Air. “At Njord I saw a product that perfectly matched the demands of the market: very high filter performance, high capacity, low power consumption, compact, easy to place anywhere, lightweight and very competitively priced,” says Van Hees.
CleanAirNederland.com positions itself as a flexible partner. Customers can choose to buy, rent or lease. All of this comes with either self-service or complete peace-of-mind support, and a warranty scheme that offers maximum certainty for up to 10 years — an approach that differs from the fixed subscription models of many competitors. “We don’t just supply a product; we actively think along about what suits the customer’s process and space.”
Particulate matter: small, but with a big impact
“We used to talk about dust, now we talk about particulate matter,” says Van Hees. That distinction is crucial. Whereas ordinary dust still lies visibly on the floor, particulate matter stays suspended in the air for a long time. And it is precisely that which ends up in the lungs or settles and accumulates in places where you would rather not see it.
Particulate matter is released during a wide range of industrial and logistics processes: welding, grinding, sawing, but also when opening and closing packaging material or simply driving a forklift. Van Hees: “Particulate matter is everywhere.” “The better you insulate your building — which everyone does these days — the more it lingers.”
The consequences of particulate matter: from sick staff to defective machines
The health risks of particulate matter are clear. Irritation of the airways, eyes, nose and throat. Aggravation of existing respiratory complaints, and even in the short term particulate matter can negatively affect lung function. Prolonged exposure can lead to permanent respiratory problems, chronic illness or worse. Van Hees: “I hear it often: ‘My father worked in that factory and got lung cancer before he even retired; he died far too young.’ (read the article here) Stories like that get to you.”
But at the company level, too, the consequences are tangible:
- Machines break down due to particulate build-up, especially in sensitive electronics, resulting in extra maintenance.
- Inventory becomes contaminated, resulting in extra cleaning costs or write-offs.
- Productivity drops — a dirty, unhealthy working environment makes people less productive.
- Staff turnover rises, simply because employees feel unsafe or become ill.
- Personnel costs rise — hiring temporary replacements, overtime, recruitment.
Smart solutions for clean air
CleanAirNederland.com tackles air pollution comprehensively. The approach always starts at the source: “We first look at whether we can optimise processes. Only then do we talk about our units.” These units stand out for their high capacity, low noise production and smart sensor technology. Thanks to partnerships with companies such as Airteq, the air purifiers only run when needed, which saves energy and extends filter life.
Another notable innovation is the ‘constant flow’ system. As the filter fills up, the motor automatically increases its speed to keep airflow and filtration constant. In addition, the air purifiers themselves indicate when the filters are saturated — essential for proper operation.
Sustainability and ROI go hand in hand
Alongside health, sustainability is a key priority. Clean Air Nederland’s units are fully recyclable, made from recycled aluminium and fitted with biodegradable filters. And while health is difficult to express in euros, other cost savings are certainly tangible:
- Less maintenance on machines
- Lower cleaning costs
- Lower personnel costs through less absenteeism, higher productivity and less hiring
- Higher product quality and less rejection
Van Hees: “A sick employee, just like maintenance, cleaning and extra write-offs, quickly costs hundreds of euros per day. Our solution does not cost that — and it significantly reduces the likelihood of it.”
Njord Clean Air delivers trouble-free solutions.
“Njord’s industrial air purifiers are simple and easy to use and maintain, allowing companies to focus on what they need to do. On top of that, they have a clearly lower TCO despite very high performance.”
The future of particulate reduction: inevitable and necessary
According to Van Hees, attention to particulate matter will only increase. “Our bodies are having to endure more and more. We are becoming more sensitive to pollution.” He advocates proactive action by companies: not waiting for legislation, but taking responsibility. “There are no hard standards for indoor air yet, but the Dutch Working Conditions Act does stipulate that the employer has a duty of care. Don’t wait for fines. Investigate your risks and do something about them.” Sometimes a complete solution is not immediately possible and a company opts for a phased approach. “Sometimes you have to start big, sometimes small. What matters is that you start.”
Why Clean Air Nederland?
Van Hees is clear about the added value of his organisation: “We deliver a very cost-effective, tailor-made product — technically, financially and in terms of service.” And it is precisely this that makes CleanAirNederland.com the ideal partner for manufacturing and logistics companies that want to invest in health, continuity and sustainability.