Wellbeing


believes that poor indoor air quality can result in a range of undesirable health effects as well as a reduction in life years.


risk of heart disease and stroke, while people with asthma may experience worse symptoms if they have an allergic reaction to a pollutant in the air. In addition, university researcher Professor Hazim Awbi8


Air purification


With all the risk factors previously discussed in mind, it is clear why organisations are increasingly talking about poor indoor air quality and are taking steps to counter it. Once you have read the statistics, suddenly measures such as air cleaning are no longer seen as a luxury, they become a necessity. One of the most popular ways of tackling poor indoor air quality is through the use of air purifiers, which are recommended by a range of professional bodies such as the Environmental Protection Agency9


in the US and consumer rights group Which? .10,11 They


are recommended for improving air quality by cleaning the air, capturing polluting particles such as dust, smoke and pollen and removing them from the air. Air purifiers literally clean the air. For example, the use of HEPA filters and a four-stage purification system can remove up to 99.97 per cent of airborne contaminants from 0.1 microns in size, leaving the air cleaner and healthier and providing worry-free air purification. They remove airborne germs and viruses – including flu and the norovirus – as well as allergens and pollen, particulate matter and odour. This can make a care home a cleaner, healthier, fresher and more pleasant place to live, work and visit. Air purifiers show immediate results. When you install an air purifier, it measures the level of contaminants in the air. As it gets to work, you can see the levels improving as the pollutants are removed and replaced with clean air. This means that residents are immediately breathing air that is cleaner and healthier, protecting them from the risk of pollution and reducing exposure to germs that


cause colds and flu as well as allergens such as pollen.


Conclusion


There has been a rise in demand for air cleaning across many different sectors, but particularly within healthcare. The aim is to improve air quality, thereby protecting people from pollutants and contaminants. Air purifiers can provide an effective solution to indoor air pollution, making a real difference to the quality of the air. With all the evidence pointing this way, air cleaning simply becomes common sense.


References 1. Alsen S. Indoor air pollution is up to five times deadlier than outdoors. Financial Times 2018: 20 February.


2. Fellowes Beswick. Why purify your indoor air? [fellowesza.co.za/solutions-centre/ why-purify-your-indoor-air/].


3. Laville S. Air pollution worse inside London classrooms than outside, study finds. The Guardian 2018; 24 May.


4. Friends of the Earth. Clean Air Campaign: Air monitoring kit results.


[friendsoftheearth.uk/clean-air/results].


5. US Customs and Border Protection. The Power of Pollen. [www.cbp.gov/frontline/ frontline-june-2016-forensics].


6. Holmquist L, Veterberg O. Quantification of birch and grass pollen allergens in indoor air. Indoor Air 1999; 9(2): 85-91.


7. British Lung Foundation. Indoor Air Pollution. [www.blf.org.uk/support- for-you/indoor-air-pollution].


8. Awbi H. Polluted home air may impede child development. My Health My Home. [indoorairpollution.co.uk/tag/ professor-hazim-awbi].


May 2020 • www.thecarehomeenvironment.com Clare Noble


Clare Noble is head of healthcare at PHS Group. Clare has more than two decades’ experience in the services industry working in waste, environmental compliance, sustainability and disposal. An experienced waste strategy director, Clare has driven the agenda for positive change within PHS and delivered sustainability objectives for businesses nationwide.


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9. United States Environmental Protection Agency. Air Cleaners and Air Filters in the Home. [www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality- iaq/air-cleaners-and-air-filters-home]. 10. Woodger C. How to improve your indoor air quality at home. Which? [www.which.co.uk/reviews/air- purifiers/article/how-to-improve-your- indoor-air-quality-at-home].


11. Easy ways you can improve indoor air quality. Harvard Women’s Health Watch, 2018. [www.health.harvard.edu/ staying-healthy/easy-ways-you-can- improve-indoor-air-quality].


TCHE


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