Breathe with Care

Are you aware of what you’re breathing?

Volatile organic compounds and PM2.5 particles are some of the most harmful elements that are the root of many diseases. Read on to know more about what these are and how air purifiers having HEPA filters best tackle them.

Air pollution levels are sky-rocketing, leaving a host of diseases in its wake. It comes from many sources: inefficient transport, coal-fired power plants, industrial activity, waste burning and other human activities are major sources, but natural events such as dust storms can also play a role. More than 40 per cent of the world’s population relies on open fires or traditional stoves to cook food and heat their homes. The smoke thus produced carries heavy concentrations of carbon monoxide, particulate matter and other toxic air pollutants. Young children and women – who typically spend the most time indoors around the fire – are at greatest risk of exposure.

Indoor air is 2-5 times more polluted than outdoor air. Most people are ignorant towards the harm inflicted by air pollution and carry on with their lives, further contributing to it. But those who suffer from respiratory issues, allergies and certain heart conditions are forced to lead lives cautiously, keeping in check what they consume, touch or even breathe. The elements that contribute to contamination of indoor air may vary from pet dander, cigarette smoke, pollen to elements such as PM2.5 and VOCs that can have fatal repercussions! To those individuals that don’t know what PM2.5 and VOCs are, you need to read the information that follows.

What is it that is causing so much harm to our bodies?

PM2.5 refers to atmospheric particulate matter (PM) having a diameter of less than 2.5 micro-meters that can be detected only with an electron microscope. These are commonly found as combustion particles from vehicular emissions, organic compounds, etc. Another variant of PM2.5 is PM10 i.e; particulate matter having diameter less than 10 micro-meters found in the form of pollen, dust, mold, etc. Being tiny and light-weighted, these particles tend to stay in the air for a longer period of time, increasing the probability of inhalation via nose as well as throat. Studies show fine particles tend to trigger or worsen chronic diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, heart attack and many other ailments that can prove to be fatal unless some preventative action is taken.

The American Heart Association has also warned about the impact of PM2.5

“Exposure to PM <2.5 μm in diameter (PM2.5) over a few hours to weeks can trigger cardiovascular disease-related mortality and nonfatal events; longer-term exposure increases the risk for cardiovascular mortality to an even greater extent than exposures over a few days and reduces life expectancy within more highly exposed segments of the population by several months to a few years.”

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)are those substances that can vaporise or attain a gaseous state with ease. Solvents, paints, thinners, adhesives, disinfectants, moth repellents, air fresheners, pesticides, etc. are some omnipresent VOCs. When these VOCs combine with nitrogen oxide in air, they form smog. VOCs enter out bodies via 2 mediums – by breathing and by skin contact. In the short-term, harms of these substances may be mistaken for a normal body symptom depicted as irritation of eyes, respiratory tract, headaches, dizziness, etc. But the long-term exposure may cause nausea, fatigue, damage to liver, kidney and central nervous system, and in some cases it can even result in cancer.

Now that you briefly know about the two major indoor air pollutants and their effects, isn’t it a rational choice to take preventative measures that would neutralise and purify your home, office space, or any other indoor area? And what better than to invest in a device that shows immediate effect, like a Coway Air Purifier! Its patented multi-layered anti-flu thick HEPA filter eliminates microbes, bacteria, allergens with 99.97% efficiency. The patented Urethane Carbon filter helps give fresh air by absorbing all the bad odour, smoke, etc. Join our revolution, fight indoor air pollution!

References:

http://web.unep.org/youngchampions/blog/get-facts-6-things-you-need-know-about-air-pollution

https://blissair.com/what-is-pm-2-5.htm

https://toxtown.nlm.nih.gov/chemicals-and-contaminants/volatile-organic-compounds-vocs#what-are-they