June 2001 - Typical air quality problems encountered by the printing and graphics industry involve the use of various solvents and washes to clean the presses.  Integrity Printing of Brookfield, Wisconsin, specializes in design, copying, and offset printing.  "Even water-miscible washes have an odor that is objectionable to some," says Dick Clark, owner of Integrity Printing.

The company's odor problems were caused mainly by the press wash-ups.  "The air quality suffered," explains Clark, "particularly on days when there were a number of ink color changes."

"We have tried a charcoal filter unit, an ion air purifier, and we also have an exhaust fan;" however, none of these could eliminate their odor problems.  "When all else failed, we'd open the doors and let the wind blow through.  Being in Wisconsin, this presented other challenges, especially in January."

When the question of dealing with air quality in print shops was a topic of interest posted on the Printweb listserve, the CAP™ Clean Air Plant was mentioned by a print shop owner in New Jersey.  Clark followed up with a phone conversation and heard first-hand how well the CAP cleaned the air in the New Jersey print shop.

"We've had the CAP-90 working in our 3000 sq. ft. shop since December 2000," says Clark.  "We've noticed a marked difference in our daily air quality.  On regular printing days, there is only some residual odor.  On heavy days with multiple washups, all the odors are gone within an hour and a half.  Sometimes, we supplement the CAP by running the exhaust fan.  We used to have to exhaust 24 hours a day, seven days a week; now we only run it two to three times a week for a couple of hours at a time."

Clark notes that since they're situated in a strip mall with adjoining tenants, their heating costs are already marginal.  "I couldn't tell you exactly how much, but I know that our electric bill has been reduced since we no longer run the exhaust fan as much."

Integrity Printing's employees, and especially their walk-in customers, can provide the best testimonial.  "There are no complaints, or even comments, about bad odors," says Clark.  "I haven't heard a reference to air quality in months, when we used to get daily comments."

"I am very satisfied with the performance of the CAP-90 and what it has done to improve our air quality.  So far, it has proved to be one of the better purchases I've made for the benefits that it provides."

The CAP™ Clean Air Plant is designed by sgblue, inc.  The company develops and markets innovative biological solutions for air and water pollution for the commercial and small industrial markets.  For more information, contact sgblue, inc. at 229 Airport Road, Suite 7-101 Arden, NC 28704 p: 877-219-7111; email: awsi@cleanairplant.com; website: www.cleanairplant.com.