The next South African elections are looming, and the population feels the atomic weight of what to put on the ballot. Energy is a significant factor influencing many voters. Some are looking to the option of atomic energy, with the country's nuclear Koeberg power station sitting at the back of their minds. Of course, nuclear power safety concerns are likely seated there, too.
Safety Lies at the Core of the Atomic Energy Dialogue
This issue exists worldwide, and with the history of the Chernobyl disaster, Fukushima, and more, some are hesitant to commit to this path. On the other hand, some advocate for nuclear energy. Both sides tend to speak of nuclear safety concerns, with one seemingly innocuous air filter playing a more prominent role in that conversation than many realise.
Nuclear Power Safety Concerns: A Piece of Paper and Oppenheimer
Many see a curious piece of paper as the precursor for HEPA filters. A 1998 article titled "Hepa Filters," expanded on this story: In the Second World War, a gas mask from an imprisoned German soldier was found with a piece of paper that was highly efficient in capturing chemical smoke.
The Manhatten Project, however, is the first solid instance of individuals using the first HEPA Filter, or High-Efficiency Particle Air Filter. Its purpose was to protect the project's employees from radioactive particles. The US Army Chemical Corps and National Defense Research Committee designed and manufactured it, initially referring to it as "absolute filters" — a term sometimes still used for them today. At the time, this technology was top secret.
Nuclear Power Safety Concerns Bring HEPA to the Rescue
After the Second World War, these air filters were declassified, and slowly became commercially available, creating a boom and moving industries forward, such as pharmaceuticals and biotechnology. One stride forward can be accredited to Willis Whitfield, who 1962 invented the cleanroom—a controlled environment that relies heavily on this filtration technology.
"Regarding nuclear energy in South Africa, the relevant institutions don't appear to explicitly mention using HEPA filters at the Keoberg power station."
Although now available in the broader market, these filters continue to be used for nuclear safety. Jacqueline DiChiara wrote on Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health's website:
"Air cleaning systems are often the final line of defense in the event of a radiological release or nuclear disaster. Their role in nuclear accidents is vital in minimizing public exposure to radioactive material and protecting public safety."
For example, after the Fukushima disaster, they installed air filtration units for recovery and clean-up.
Beyond their role as systems for cleaning up radioactive material after a disaster, these air filters maintain consistent site safety. They are the go-to nuclear filtration system at nuclear power stations worldwide.
Nuclear Energy In South Africa: Where Are We With Air Filtration?
Regarding nuclear energy in South Africa, the relevant institutions don't appear to explicitly mention using HEPA filters at the Koeberg power station.
That said, in a March 2024 safety report on the nuclear station, Eskom mentions the filters themselves. The energy giant outlines and implicitly emphasises the importance of the air filtration installed in the post-Fukushima disaster clean-up.
More than that, Eskom talks more about this in their "Dossier on (High-EffIciency Particulate Air) HEPA Filters For Use In Nuclear Facility Ventilation Systems" document. Here, they express the importance of these filters, stating:
"HEPA filters are our only hope against environmental contamination and deadly health risks from radioactive emissions at plants…"
HEPA Filters' Wider Impact: From Pollution to the Pandemic
Beyond nuclear power, this technology has considerably impacted many industries and society as a whole. Just two examples are their ability to combat air pollution and mitigate health risks linked to respiratory issues.
This technology has always helped curb the spread of airborne bacteria, fungi, and viruses. One sticking point was its role in fighting the spread of COVID-19. It does this by combatting the spread of aerosols, tiny particles that can quickly spread the virus.
COVID-19 is not near the intensity it was before the vaccines were distributed. However, the ability of these air filters to tackle this coronavirus shows promise for combating possible highly contagious viruses in the future.
To Find Out More, Read: The Role of Air Filtration in Preventing the Spread of COVID
Vivid Air HEPA Filters Wide Range of Use
Vivid Air has an extensive range of HEPA filters to suit all industry requirements. We offer both Neoprene seal and Gel seal types. A HEPA filter is only as good as its housing, so we manufacture bespoke housings to suit your needs. Our HEPA filters and housings are installed in leading pharmaceutical, food, medical, cosmetics, biotechnology, semiconductor, and higher education facilities nationwide.
As a Proudly South African company, we manufacture these housings and all our products locally. We'd also like to wish our fellow citizens good luck in the next South African election.
To find out about our clean air equipment, please don't hesitate to contact us.