For professionals involved in the cannabis industry, having product that’s of a high quality is important. Those involved in the growth and maintenance of cannabis crops ensure that the harvest is respectable and of a high calibre through:
- utilizing the proper lighting
- providing nutrition
- monitoring the pH balance of the soil
However, a lot of the time these factors, though important, are emphasized to the neglect of the air quality of the grow room.
Traditionally, cannabis crops are either grown in one of the following environments:
- outdoor location
- greenhouse
- warehouse with proper Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) equipment
The last option generally produces the best quality and quickest harvests, so it is the first choice for commercial growing operations. With an enclosed space, crops can be saved from the inconsistency of the elements. But the lack of open air creates its own difficulties. Without the proper measures put into place to monitor air quality, grow rooms can enable bacteria, fungi, spores, and harmful air particulates, all of which can damage or degrade healthy crops.
Read on to find out three tips on improving air purification.
Those in Cannabis Industry Careers Should Know to Monitor Humidity
Humidity is another important part of improving air purification. The combination of lots of plants and lots of water creates very humid conditions. Though these crops enjoy the humidity up to a point, rooms that are excessively humid cause the plants to pull water from the air rather than through their roots. This causes issues with overwatering and malnutrition. Plants that are wet are also much more susceptible to mold.
Humidity has an impact on air quality
The more humid the air is, the harder it becomes to filter it. Air with high humidity might clog the filtration system and lead to contaminated air. The bottom line is, after receiving your cannabis industry training, you’ll want to use a system of dehumidifiers to keep the moisture levels in the air healthy and normal.
Choose the Right Filtering Technology
The right filtering system can make all the difference for ensuring the purity of a grow room’s air supply.
There are several different types of filtration systems available to professionals with cannabis industry careers:
- High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters
- carbon filters
- UV-C (ultraviolet) filters
Choosing the right filtration system will help purify the air
HEPA filters are recommended by Health Canada as effective for dissipating airborne fine particulate matter. UV-C filters are claimed to be particularly useful for clearing the air of Powdery Mildew and Botrytis, two infections cannabis crops are prone to. Cannabis growers each have preferences for certain types of filtration systems. Growers should conduct some research and decide which system is right for their setup.
Ensure the Filter Is Suited to the Room and Well-Maintained
When choosing a filtration system, growers must ensure that the filter is suited to the size of the room. A filter that’s meant for a much smaller area will not be effective, and can cause issues with the technology.
A well-maintained filtration system keeps crops healthy and happy
Another factor to be monitored is the amount of airflow that’s being pushed through the filter. If fans are pushing too much air, the filter doesn’t have enough time to sufficiently clean the air. And no matter which kind of system is selected, the filter should be cleaned regularly. This is especially true during humid conditions, when the thick air is more likely to clog the filter.
Do you want to learn more about cannabis quality assurance?
Contact AAPS today!