DCHAS-L Discussion List Archive

With the Green Hoods, the air in the lab is actually cleaner than the air coming into the building because it is constantly scrubbed. The chemical sensors have worked very well. An example is during installation, the chemical alarm went off on the first hood that was installed even though no chemicals were being used at the time and the filters were new. I was not pleased to see an immediate false alarm and was even wondering if somehow we had gotten filters that were used up from testing or something. Turns out, it was not a false alarm. A contractor working in the room about 50' away had used a small amount of solvent on a rag to clean a spot on something he was installing. I had forgotten that the sensors also sample the lab air and had registered the solvent fumes in the air. I was quite impressed.

We have been extremely happy with the 13 Green Hoods we have installed. We are finishing our 3rd year on the filters. They have been an excellent solution for our needs. It concerns me when I hear blanket statements that these hoods are not suitable for use. In my opinion, that does a disservice to some. They definitely have their place. I was adamantly against the use of ductless fume hoods in our department but when the Green Hoods came along, I allowed myself to be educated. The Green Hoods are not your average ductless fume hood and I have become a great believer in their use where appropriate.

Ken Simolo