The Ravair Ltd Range of Extraction Units have a slightly different approach. The units mention above by Bob are all dual purpose units that will remove nail dust and also gases and fumes into a filtration system near by or incorporated into the desk. Although only one of these companies provide Independent Lab Reports to prove they work, and that companies' report is over 8 years old, there is no reason to suggest they don't work. In fact we have not read anything to suggest they don't.
Having said that this dual filtration system idea has it's drawbacks. The main problem is the rate of airflow through the system, or rather the lack of it. All these systems state in the specifications a rate of airflow, through the system to the filter, of around 100m3 per hour. This is a very low airflow rate and would mean that any work, filing etc has to be done at the face of the tube on the table. In the only report supplied by one of these companies they state that the test was undertaken by applying the test substance to the tube face.
The Ravair Salon pro has a “triple” set of filters in a similar way as these machines, cotton pad for large dust, 20mm glass hepa for dust/pollen etc to EU Standard EN 1822-1 suitable for hay fever and asthma sufferer's and 3 kilo gas filter 250mm x 250mm x 60mm bed of activated carbon, but at a top flow rate of 595m/3 per hour it will clean a very large room 5mtrs x 5mtrs 2.5mts around 10 times per hour. They are used in shopping malls with 60ft ceilings without problem, and has variable speed so virtually noiseless on low, it’s best operating speed. It also has remote control and is on Wheels for easy movement around the salon. (You could use it near the nail section and then move to the hair section with ease, something Fixed Dual Systems cannot do.)
This is a major advantage having “bespoke” units, as the salon pro can work the room all day with virtually no cost (5p per hour) and capture all the invisible dust in the room that has escaped past the desk top units and also remove all the fumes in the room, guaranteed. (30 day money back guarantee).
If any dust or fumes escape from the Fixed Dual Purpose machines work zone they will be breathed in by every person in the room.
Ravair recommend a dedicated nail dust extractor for each working nail desk as the dust generated can be a lot and a dual purpose unit with the suction of only 100m3 per could struggle to cope, the New Ravair Flexi Nail Dust Extractor has a suction of 300m/3 per hour at 300 mm from the desk.
With a price of around 50-60% less expensive that the Dual Filtration Systems the Ravair Salon Systems are a viable affordable alternative with Independent Lab Proof and Certification. (see website www.ravair.co.uk). The replacement filters are also around a third of the cost.
