Interesting article, but two MAJOR things come to mind. First and foremost the test was performed on Diesel powerplants not normally aspirated gas engines. Second the micron size of passed media. Any engine will easily combust "dust" without harm. It's the materials normally larger than 4 to 5 microns that can cause damage depending on the makeup of the media passed. Sand = Bad....leaf dust = nada.
I spent years as a Quality Assurance Manager of a Military motorpool and there as well as other places the old addage of "Figures don't lie, but liars figure" still lives.
Not selling anything, just saying there is a reason why NASCAR, NHRA, IRL and so many others will run nothing other than K&N.