Rebekajean

1 hour ago, seaoma said:

 

Oh, my. I'm sorry I couldn't be of help. Maybe chengkp75, who the other poster tagged, will have some information. He's a retired ship engineer and has been helpful for all types of questions regarding ship capabilities. He may be able to reassure you about the air filtration.

 

When you say you contacted Ship Services, are you saying you contacted the Guest Accessiblity Department?

 

 

I have contacted both, Guest Accessibility for my other medical needs and then Ship Services for more information.  Have been sent back and forth between the two but no final answers or confirmations yet.  

59 minutes ago, sue1898 said:

@chengkp75 is the ship’s filtration system in your area of expertise?

Yes.  I am an Environmental Health Consultant and worked in the industry for nearly 40 years.  I was responsible for prompting Conroe Independent School District in Texas to upgrade their HVAC systems and implemented an Integrated Pest Management program which was used as the model for the Structural Pest Control Board.  My model helped pass a law that continues to protect all children in Texas from pesticides in schools.    

1 hour ago, seaoma said:

I can't help you in finding out if HAL has upgraded to HEPA filters. We use a CO 2 monitor and I will say a lot of places have fairly good air circulation as long as the place isn't too small and packed with people.

 

Because of Covid, there is a proliferation of portable HEPA filters that run on a USB. If you look and can find one that would suit your needs, I'm sure HAL wouldn't have a problem with it. It's the filter that needs an electric outlet that they don't allow.

 

We boarded recently with 2 small personal HEPA filters with no problem.

 

This is one I have heard about from social media that people seem to like, just to give you an idea of what I'm talking about.

 

https://www.smarterhepa.com/products/qt3-portable-air-purifier-the-small-lightweight-qt3-delivers-clean-air-wherever-you-go-personal-fan-and-hepa-filter-includes-lithium-battery?variant=41585234870456&gclid=Cj0KCQjw7aqkBhDPARIsAKGa0oJy2xIhxW7GzuOnfZvidi8heaGL79hkizs7gSjZf9WU2ZcWp9uSW0kaAutWEALw_wcB

Thank you but sadly, the fumes from filters made from polyester and polypropylene, which are the materials used in small travel air purifiers, are derived from petrochemicals and outgas fumes which also cause problems for my lungs.  I need something bigger that exchanges the air in our room once an hour.    

Help!  We will be taking a 35 day cruise from Boston to Canada, Greenland, Iceland, etc. and back to Boston.  With the current smoke concentration coming from Canada, I am concerned that the ships HVAC system will not remove enough smoke to keep me out of the hospital, even if I stay in my room.  I have been using N95 masks for 20 years and have several HEPA filters in our home so we want to bring a small HEPA filter with us.  I asked Ships Services and was told it was not necessary because they have HEPA filters in the cabins.  I am not convinced.  There have been cruises where I can smell perfume from other rooms inside ours and we don't use anything scented.  How do I find out if the ship does have HEPA filters in their HVAC system?