Ron Marshall’s recent article “A Breath of Compressed Air” from PlantServices.com opens with a few key points (e.g., untreated compressed air isn’t necessarily safe for breathing), but the value of the article extends well beyond them.

You cannot make assumptions, Marshall and his article sources stress. The ultra clean conditions of a cleanroom do not mean that the same conditions exist at the intake of the compressor providing the breathing air, for example. And you cannot seek savings anywhere that worker safety is involved. The breathing systems being utilized in industrial processes are too important—but that doesn’t mean they cannot be used and maintained better, for operational performance, worker safety, and facility economics.

Marshall is a member of Compressed Air Challenge, a voluntary collaboration of manufacturers, distributors and their associations; industrial users; facility operating personnel and their associations; consultants; state research and development agencies; energy efficiency organizations; and utilities. The mission of the CAC is to be the leading source of product-neutral compressed air system information and education, enabling end users to take a systems approach, leading to improved efficiency and production and increased net profits.

Also catching our eye at PlantServices.com, Rod Smith’s article “Breathing air purifiers protect respiratory air supplies” is worth a read. Smith looks at the value of OSHA Grade D and CSA air quality and how more plants may need it. From abrasive blasting to paint spraying, industrial cleaning to arc welding, Smith’s article addresses some of the basic hazards in compressed air environments and the quality of air these facilities should maintain.