The Coronavirus pandemic has shown us that it’s more important than ever to evaluate the indoor air quality (IAQ) in spaces where people live, work, learn, and play. Indoor air pollutants can seriously affect one’s health, as well as affecting one’s productivity.
Many of us spend more than 90% of our time indoors, and it’s vital to understand what’s in the air we breathe. Ambius, the global leader in creating smarter, healthier spaces, identified the five most common indoor air pollutants – and has a solution to these IAQ issues.
1. COVID-19 and other viruses
Aerosol viruses spread through tiny droplets that are expelled into the air when people cough or sneeze. The COVID-19 pandemic is the most recent virus to spread across the globe, but there are many other viruses that have been around for far longer, and which are also a risk in enclosed spaces.
A single cough or sneeze can expel germs as far as 8 meters at almost 160kms an hour, and without proper ventilation, these germs can linger in the air and produce an increased risk of cross-contamination. You can read more about haw far a sneeze can travel on our Insights blog, here.
2. Allergens
Everyday office and household items can emit allergens such as dust, pollen and pet dander. These particles can attach to skin and clothes and travel from person to person. Exposure to these contaminated particles can cause irritated skin and eyes, nose and throat congestion, as well as respiratory problems.
3. Bacteria
Harmful bacteria can quietly form and spread throughout indoor environments. Animal dander, household dust, plant debris and mould are some of the transmitters of bacteria. Exposure to these pollutants can lead to digestive problems, asthma, and dizziness – amongst other symptoms.
4. Smoke
Wildfires across the U.S. and in Australia – and even mountain fires in South Africa – leave residents with the lingering effects of wildfire smoke. Additional forms of smoke from home kitchens, restaurants, and even vehicles are also extremely harmful to breathe in.
Exposure to smoke can damage the lungs and have a lasting impact on lung and heart health.
5. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s)
VOCs are the gases emitted from everyday cleaning products, paints and thousands of other household and office items. You can read all about VOC’s in our sister post: 5 Frequently asked questions about VOC’s.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), concentrations of many VOCs are consistently higher indoors, up to ten times higher, than outdoors. These gases can have short and long-term adverse health effects such as headaches, nose and throat discomfort and damage to the liver and kidney.
VIRUSKILLER eliminates indoor air pollutants
“The COVID-19 pandemic reminded us just how quickly viral particles can spread,” said Dr. Taz Bhatia, Integrative Health Physician and founder of CentreSpringMD. “Having the right air decontamination system to protect our family, employees and ourselves is extremely important. That’s why I love the idea of investing in specialized air decontamination units, such as VIRUSKILLER™ by Ambius, to create clean indoor air environments at home or in the office.”
VIRUSKILLER™ is an all-in-one solution for indoor air quality concerns. The patented active decontamination technology is designed to filter, neutralize and deactivate harmful viruses, allergens, bacteria, smoke, VOCs and more. VIRUSKILLER™ targets the breathing zone and deactivates 99.9999% of airborne viruses in a single air pass.
VIRUSKILLER™ is available in three sizes, and each unit offers a sleek, dynamic and free-standing design, with real-time monitoring providing VOC and dust light indicators to show the current state of the air. Equipped with customizable settings, these devices can be adjusted according to current air needs.
To learn more about which VIRUSKILLER™ is right for your space, contact Ambius today.
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