Report on Maple Air Indoor Air Quality System and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Introduction

This report analyzes the launch of the Maple Air indoor air quality system, a rebranding of AIRPHX’s Pür Plasma technology. The analysis focuses on the system’s technical specifications, applications, and its significant contributions toward achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The technology provides continuous air and surface purification for residential and commercial environments, positioning it as a key tool for advancing public health and environmental sustainability.

2.0 Technology and Product Overview

Maple Air utilizes a proprietary non-thermal, non-equilibrium plasma technology to purify indoor environments. The system is engineered to be an environmentally friendly solution for improving indoor air quality.

2.1 Key Features

• Pollutant Neutralization: Effectively treats a broad spectrum of contaminants, including bacteria, viruses, mold, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), smoke, and odors.
• Harmful Gas Reduction: Addresses dangerous gases such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and radon.
• Sustainable Operation: The process is fully organic, chemical-free, and ozone-free, operating with low energy consumption.
• Deployment Options:
  1. In-duct Units: Integrate with existing HVAC systems to purify both air and surfaces throughout a building.
  2. Wall-mounted Units: Standalone systems for commercial spaces, providing visible evidence of a commitment to air quality.

2.2 Target Environments

The system is designed for continuous operation in all occupied spaces, including:

• Residences
• Schools and Universities
• Healthcare and Assisted Living Facilities
• Hospitality and Food Service Venues
• Commercial Offices and Sporting Arenas

3.0 Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Maple Air system directly supports the advancement of several key SDGs through its design, function, and application.

3.1 SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The technology’s primary function is to create healthier indoor environments, which is central to SDG 3.

• Disease Prevention: By continuously neutralizing pathogens like viruses, bacteria, and mold, the system helps reduce the transmission of infectious diseases in public and private spaces.
• Reduced Exposure to Pollutants: It mitigates the health risks associated with long-term exposure to VOCs (e.g., formaldehyde), harmful gases, and radon, contributing to the prevention of respiratory conditions and other non-communicable diseases.
• Safe Public Spaces: Deployment in schools, healthcare facilities, and workplaces ensures safer environments for vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and patients.

3.2 SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

Maple Air contributes to creating safer, more resilient, and sustainable urban and community infrastructures.

• Improved Urban Air Quality: The system directly addresses Target 11.6 by reducing indoor air pollution, a critical component of the overall environmental impact of cities.
• Enhanced Public Health Infrastructure: Integrating this technology into public buildings like schools, community centers, and transit hubs makes community infrastructure safer and more resilient against public health threats.

3.3 SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

The system’s operational efficiency aligns with the goals of sustainable energy consumption.

• Energy Efficiency: The technology is designed for low energy use, supporting Target 7.3 to improve energy efficiency. This allows for continuous operation without placing a significant burden on energy grids.

3.4 SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

The proprietary Pür Plasma technology represents an advancement in clean and environmentally sound industrial processes.

• Clean Technology: As an innovative, chemical-free, and ozone-free solution, Maple Air promotes the adoption of clean technologies in building management and infrastructure.
• Infrastructure Upgrades: The ability to retrofit the system into existing HVAC infrastructure facilitates a widespread upgrade toward more sustainable and health-conscious building standards.

3.5 SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

The system’s design and operational process reflect principles of sustainable production.

• Chemical-Free Process: By avoiding chemicals and producing no harmful byproducts like ozone, the technology supports the environmentally sound management of chemicals and waste (Target 12.4).
• Sustainable Solution: The non-degrading nature of the technology ensures a long operational lifespan without the need for frequent replacement of consumable parts, reducing waste and promoting responsible consumption patterns.

4.0 Conclusion

The Maple Air indoor air quality system is more than a commercial product; it is an enabling technology for sustainable development. Through its innovative, energy-efficient, and chemical-free purification process, it provides a tangible solution for improving public health, creating sustainable community spaces, and promoting responsible production. Its deployment across various sectors directly supports the objectives of SDGs 3, 7, 9, 11, and 12, marking a significant step toward healthier and more sustainable indoor environments for all.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

Identified SDG Targets

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.
     • Explanation: The article highlights that the Maple Air system is “unmatched in its ability to effectively treat bacteria, viruses, mold, VOCs (like formaldehyde), smoke, odors, and harmful gases such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and radon.” By removing these specific pollutants and pathogens from indoor air, the technology directly contributes to reducing illnesses caused by air pollution and contamination in various environments like homes, schools, and medical facilities. The company’s mission, “We believe everyone deserves safe and healthy environments,” reinforces this connection.

2. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

   • Target 7.3: By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency.
     • Explanation: The article explicitly states that the Maple Air system “runs quietly with low energy use.” This feature promotes energy efficiency, which is the core of Target 7.3. By offering a solution that performs its function with minimal energy consumption, it contributes to the overall goal of improving energy efficiency in residential and commercial buildings.

3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

   • Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and processes…
     • Explanation: The article describes Maple Air’s product as a “proprietary non-thermal, non-equilibrium plasma-based air and surface purification solution” that uses an “environmentally friendly technology” and a “chemical-free, ozone-free, organic approach.” This represents the adoption of a clean and environmentally sound technology. The ability to install the units “directly into HVAC ductwork” signifies an upgrade to existing building infrastructure to make it more sustainable and health-oriented.

4. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality…
     • Explanation: The technology is designed to improve indoor air quality in a wide range of urban and community settings, including “schools and universities, gyms, sporting venues, restaurants, hospitality, medical, assisted living,” as well as “single-family residence(s).” By specifically targeting and reducing indoor air pollutants, the system directly addresses the air quality component of this target, contributing to safer and more sustainable living environments within cities and communities.

Implied Indicators for Measuring Progress

1. Indicator for Target 3.9

   • Implied Indicator: Reduction in the concentration of specific indoor air pollutants.
     • Explanation: The article lists the specific pollutants the system treats: “bacteria, viruses, mold, VOCs (like formaldehyde), smoke, odors, and harmful gases such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and radon.” Progress towards Target 3.9 could be measured by monitoring the levels of these specific substances in indoor environments before and after the installation of the Maple Air system.

2. Indicator for Target 7.3

   • Implied Indicator: Energy consumption per unit of purified air.
     • Explanation: The claim of “low energy use” implies that the device’s energy efficiency is a key performance metric. An indicator would be the measurement of its power consumption (in watts or kWh) relative to its air purification capacity, which could then be compared to other technologies to demonstrate improved energy efficiency.

3. Indicator for Target 9.4

   • Implied Indicator: Rate of adoption of clean, chemical-free, and ozone-free air purification technologies in buildings.
     • Explanation: The article emphasizes that the technology is “chemical-free, ozone-free, organic.” The “deployments throughout the nation” and availability through various partners suggest a goal of widespread adoption. An indicator of progress would be the number or percentage of residential and commercial buildings that retrofit their infrastructure with this or similar environmentally sound technologies.

4. Indicator for Target 11.6

   • Implied Indicator: Improvement in indoor air quality (IAQ) metrics across various building types within a community.
     • Explanation: The article mentions the system is deployed in “homes, schools, restaurants, healthcare settings, and other commercial spaces.” A relevant indicator would be the aggregate improvement of indoor air quality, measured by the reduction of harmful pollutants, across these different types of occupied spaces within a city or community, thus reducing the overall adverse environmental impact on residents.

Summary of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: markets.financialcontent.com