Tag Archives: air purifiers

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Air purifiers have gone from novelty to necessity as the global state of air quality becomes a more pressing issue. In the U.S. alone, more than 131 million people live in bad air, according to the National Resources Defense Council.

The negative effect air pollution has on public health is well researched and well known. With that said, air purifiers are a much needed tool in protecting general well-being. For facility managers, remaining cognizant of and improving indoor air quality is imperative because the health of others is in their hands.

Facility managers can make a commitment to the health of their building occupants by removing airborne contaminants. While dust and other airborne particles may seem innocuous and common, they can contribute to several serious long-term health problems.

Here are five conditions associated with poor indoor air quality:

  1. Asthma

Asthma is responsible for more than 3,300 deaths, 10 million missed school days and 14 million missed work days in the U.S. each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Volatile organic compounds and other contaminants in the air can trigger an asthma attack and cause immediate symptoms such as watery eyes, drowsiness, headaches and difficulty breathing. This is one of the most prevalent health problems associated with poor indoor air quality and facility managers in schools and offices can potentially reduce absenteeism by making the air they share a priority.

  1. Respiratory infections

Numerous infectious diseases such as influenza can spread through the air. Poor indoor air quality also causes lung irritation and respiratory tract infections, specifically in children.

  1. Cancer

Many common volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are believed to be carcinogenic, leading to lung and other types of cancer. Formaldehyde fits into this category, and is one of the more commonly known hazards to indoor air quality. Once used to insulate houses, formaldehyde resin can still be found in some wood-pressed furniture. VOCs in general can be emitted from cabinetry, flooring, building products and household cleaners. Reducing these emissions in shared spaces is of the utmost importance to public health, but the AeraMax Professional air purifier take it a step further by removing 99.9 percent of these harmful contaminants.

  1. Heart disease

A 2008 study determined that indoor air filtration significantly improves microvascular function for the elderly in as little as 48 hours. In general, fine particulate matter can travel deep into the respiratory tract where it can then affect the heart and lungs.

  1. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Research suggests exposure to indoor air pollution causes and exacerbates chronic obstructive pulmonary disease worldwide. Common recommendations for reducing the symptoms of COPD include removing dust and chemical vapors from the air, limiting exposure to smoke and improving ventilation. An air purifier filters the air and help achieve all of these goals at once.

Indoor air quality expectations have to change. By improving our air, we can reduce long-term health risks and lessen the dramatic impact of these conditions. In shared spaces, facility managers are on the frontlines and can make a difference to public health.

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Facility managers, healthcare administrators and other professionals are constantly managing air quality to ensure safe and healthy patient experiences at hospitals, clinics and private practices.

One major concern is to minimize airborne infections picked up in waiting rooms and other public areas, especially because of dangerous healthcare associated infections (HAIs).

It may sound hard to believe, but, according to Healthcare Facilities Today, HAIs are responsible for more deaths in the U.S. than AIDS, breast cancer and auto accidents combined. While these infections can be caught in various ways, airborne germs are a particular danger in these facilities, and result in a significant portion of HAIs.

The facts about HAIs

Minuscule droplets of airborne germs can remain in the air for hours, which makes commercial grade air purifiers a valuable partner for facilities managers who are trying to maintain excellent indoor air quality in key shared spaces.

Other important tools to prevent HAIs include:

  • Pressurization control monitoring
  • Robust sanitation protocols
  • Diligent use of personal protective equipment

It’s important for facility managers to target problem areas because the American Society for Healthcare Engineering reports that HVAC systems can actually cause the spread of microbes. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that HAIs, while prevalent, are a largely preventable threat to patient safety that affected more than 721,000 Americans in 2011, resulting in about 75,000 deaths.

While reports of HAIs in the U.S. have declined in recent years, there is growing concern about airborne infections that are resistant to antibiotics, which makes it even more important to maintain excellent air quality in health care facilities.

The AeraMax Professional, a commercial-grade air purifier, quickly removes 99.9 percent of contaminants from the air, including infectious particles. In fact, an independent study found that the AeraMax Pro effectively reduces 99.9 percent of airborne influenza virus after only 35 minutes of operation.

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