In the UK, businesses across various industries face the challenge of managing harmful fumes and dust particles generated during their operations. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has established guidelines to ensure that working environments remain safe and comply with legal health and safety standards. One effective way to achieve this is by learning which extraction system is right for you and then utilising it properly.
That said, we understand that accessing accurate information for your industry in a clear and concise way can be difficult. So, in this article, we’ll discuss the different types of extraction systems available and help you decide which one is best suited for your application. The intention here isn’t to give you the ‘hard sell’ but rather to shed some light on which industries benefit from the different types of fume and dust extractors, helping you to make the right choice.
What type of fume extraction systems are there?
There is a wide range of fume and dust extraction systems on the market, each designed to cater to specific industries and applications. Some of the most common processes that benefit from these systems include, but aren’t limited to, nail salons, soldering, woodworking, and dental care. So, let’s take a closer look at the extraction systems suitable for some of these sectors.
Nail Salons
Salon extraction technology is close to our hearts, as that’s where the VODEX story began several years ago. Research shows that both customers and technicians are exposed to various chemicals and dust particles that can pose health risks. These can include short-term impacts like headaches, dizziness, nausea and skin and eye irritation. As well as this, toluene found in some nail products has been suspected of damaging fertility. It’s crucial, then, to make sure you have the right fume and dust extraction in place.
The VODEX SalonAIR 1001® and 1002® are specifically designed to capture and remove these harmful substances, protecting both employees and customers. This system combines high-quality filtration with an ergonomic design, ensuring a clean and comfortable salon environment.
Soldering
Soldering produces hazardous fumes and particulate matter that can be harmful to workers when inhaled. According to the HSE, rosin-based solder flux fume is now regarded as one of the most significant causes of occupational asthma in the UK. When the asthmatic effects are fully developed, they are permanent and irreversible, making proper soldering extraction a crucial tool.
If you’re working with jewellery soldering, the VODEX VXJ series are feature-rich and cost-effective extraction units. For more general extraction purposes, the VX1 and VX2 models can provide flexible and ergonomic solutions.
Woodworking
Woodworking processes generate significant amounts of dust. This can lead to respiratory issues and other health problems if not adequately managed. Research from the European Respiratory Journal found that wood dust can contain harmful substances like fungi, bacteria and even carcinogenic chemicals. Sustained inhalation of these can lead to health problems such as lung infections or, in extreme cases, cancer.
We have a range of extractors specifically designed to handle woodworking dust and debris. It consists of the compact WWS1 through the moderately sized WWS2 up to the more industrial scale WWS3. Whatever your business’ scale, these solutions can keep your woodworking or carpentry workspace clean and safe.
Dental Care
In dental practices, various procedures produce aerosols, dust, and fumes that can be hazardous to the health of both patients and staff. They’re predominantly given off during aerosol-generating processes (AGPs) like drilling teeth or ultrasonic scaling. This gives off spatter, some of which can be controlled but much of which enters the breathing zones of patients and dental staff. The spatter can contain dangerous chemicals, as well as airborne viruses.
Research done in tandem with the University of Newcastle found that investing in a VODEX DentalAIR UVC® can make your dental surgery considerably healthier and safer. It can also help to reduce costly fallow time. This is achieved by producing high suction while keeping energy usage and noise to a minimum.
Which extraction system is best for my application?
When choosing the right extraction system for your application, it’s essential to consider two main factors:
Industry and application
As discussed earlier, different extraction systems are designed for specific industries and applications. Ensure you select a system tailored to your sector and the contaminants generated by your processes.
Filtration efficiency
Look for extraction systems with advanced filtration technology to ensure maximum removal of harmful substances. High-quality filtration systems will capture even the smallest particles, protecting both people and equipment. All VODEX products feature the very latest in filtration efficiency.
Experienced Fume and Dust Specialists
At VODEX, we are committed to providing high-quality extraction solutions that meet the demands of your industry and application. The products discussed in this blog form only part of our extensive range of fume and dust extraction solutions, so make sure you head over to our product page for more information.
Or, if you’d prefer to talk to someone, our experienced team is ready to help you discover which extraction system is right for you to ensure a safe and healthy working environment. Please feel free to contact us with any queries regarding existing products and solutions or about bespoke requests.
