The Silent Threat: Unclean Air
Why Kevin Luo, Senior Air Filtration Officer, at Blueair calls unclean a silent and pressing threat.
It is no secret that people in the Middle East spend plenty of time indoors, shielding from the warm climate outdoors. What the vast majority might not be aware of, is the fact that the indoor air we expose ourselves to for most of the day is up to a staggering five times more unclean than outdoor air (1).
Now, you might wonder why this is the case, but there are endless unseen contributors that affect the air around us on a daily basis. Besides the likes of dust and bacteria, indoor pollution is caused by cooking, cleaning, use of perfume or hair spray, smoking and even candles. Giving your indoor space some ‘fresh air’ from time to time won’t necessarily help with this either, as it can help the polluted outdoor air making its way into our homes through already contaminated air conditioners that are active throughout the day and night.
From a health perspective, this is concerning, especially as communities are generally uneducated about the consequences of their unclean indoor surroundings, which is linked to fatal health issues, including respiratory diseases, allergies or even cancer (2), infections and asthma. It can also cause less serious side effects such as headaches, nasal congestion, nausea, fatigue and dry eyes.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that 4.3 million people a year die from exposure to household air pollution worldwide, and in the UAE alone more than 290 deaths and more than 89,000 health care visits per year in the UAE may be related to exposure to poor indoor air quality (3). While this is a significant threat to the general population, air quality is especially important for children because they breathe higher volumes of air in proportion to their size compared to adults, and their lungs are more sensitive. Even while developing in the womb, air quality can have a detrimental effect on their respiratory system before they come to life in the ‘real world’.
So, what changes can you make? Your best defence against indoor air pollution is to try to avoid having pollutants enter your home. Creating a well-ventilated space that allows fresh, clean air to flow in is a great start for keeping your indoor air free of outdoor pollutants.
Everyday household tasks can also help to reduce air pollution and keep the air cleaner at home, such as vacuuming and dusting. However, using air purifiers to filter pollutants is a very efficient tool to keep the air indoor clean. A high-performing air purifier will efficiently remove bacteria, virus, dust, pollen and toxic chemicals all-in-one. Using air purifiers is also an absolute game-changer in reducing exposure to common household pollutants like cooking odours and chemicals from cleaning agents. Finding an air purifier that does the job isn’t a given, a tip is to look for an air purifier with high CADR (clean air delivery rate), The HEPASilent technology used in Blueair products combines two filtration technologies that trap even the smallest particles and has a high CADR rate, and also clean the air efficiently in the by AHAM recommended 5 air changes per hour, every 12 minutes. It can even remove virus from the air, a factor that is more relevant than ever before.
We knew from consumer insights that even prior to the current pandemic, viruses and bacteria are one of the main causes of concern to public health worldwide – this is when the idea of our latest product came to life. After three years of development, we invented our most advanced air purifier to date: HealthProtect. Blueair can confirm that the HealthProtect is proven effective at removing the airborne SARS-CoV-2 virus in independent third-party tests under laboratory conditions. Blueair air purifiers have not proven to kill SARS-CoV-2 or reduce or prevent COVID-19 transmission.
Ultimately, we spend 90% of our time in an indoor space, whether as adults it be at home, at work, or our children in schools. Unclean air is a silent threat but one that we can all take measures to protect against, for the sake of our health and our family’s.
Sources:
1.https://www.epa.gov/report-environment/indoor-air-quality
2. https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/top-10-worst-toxic-pollution-problems.php
3. Funk, W.E., Pleil, J.D., Pedit, J.A., Boundy, M.G., Yeatts, K.B., Nash, D.G., Trent, C.B., El Sadig, M., Davidson, C.A. and Leith, D. (2014) Indoor Air Quality in the United Arab Emirates. Journal of Environmental Protection, 5, 709-722. http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/jep.2014.58072
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Park Hyatt Dubai partners with AiroCide, industrial air purifiers developed by NASA
Park Hyatt Dubai has partnered with the NASA developed AiroCide technology- a highly innovative, powerful contamination control device that is clinically proven to eradicate viruses, bacteria, mold, and other harmful airborne particles.
20 air purifiers will now be utilised in every indoor space, including the lobby, lounge, Noépe, Lakeview and Boardwalk restaurants, in addition to 54 units placed in all of the holiday villas. The technology is based on the immediate destruction of airborne contaminates- not collecting or trapping them in a filter.
“We are fully committed to providing our guests with the cleanest and healthiest environment, now more than ever these measures are axiomatic. The use of AiroCide industrial air purifiers in all of our restaurants will ensure we are doing our upmost to eradicate harmful airborne particles,” said Luis Cobo, resident manager of Park Hyatt Dubai.
Studies have proven that tiny aerosol droplets released when people breathe, talk, cough, or sneeze, can carry live infectious viruses that linger in the air for hours. Masks and distancing cannot completely prevent people from being infected by these aerosols. The AiroCide patented technology combines two known pathogen-killing techniques, photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) and ultraviolet light to destroy harmful airborne microbes.
The NASA Story – Birth of a Revolutionary Technology
Sending man into deep space presents a variety of challenges and chief among them is producing a sustainable food supply. And here, NASA had a problem- ethylene gas. It’s a naturally occurring hormone that causes fruit and vegetables to ripen but in a sealed environment like a space station, ethylene buildup is toxic. The challenge – how to eliminate it.
NASA’s solution was hugely innovative and contributed to the creation of AiroCide. A unique bioconversion technology that instantly converted any organic at molecular level, solid or gas- regardless of size into harmless vapor. Not only did this bioconversion technology effectively eliminate ethylene gas along with other volatile organic compounds (VOC’s), subsequently it was also clinically proven to eradicate viruses, bacteria, fungi, and mold- even anthrax.
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How high quality indoor air positively benefits our health? Find out
2020 has been a rollercoaster year for many businesses that had to adapt the services they offer and find innovative solutions to meet the needs of their customers whilst at the same time ensuring their safety. Caparol Arabia is one the many companies in the Middle East that joined the fight against COVID-19 by proposing new eco-friendly products such as CapaCare Protect to curb the impact of the virus and promote healthy living. Martin Roscha, Managing Director at Caparol Arabia, discusses with us how paints that are free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can be complementary to a healthier lifestyle and hence play a central role in the protection of our environment and well-being.
Improving Indoor Air Quality For A Healthier Lifestyle
Air pollution is globally known for causing death. According to a study from Greenpeace, there are 4.5 million annual premature deaths worldwide due to polluants released by high-emission power station and vehicles exhausts. The Middle East registers 65,000 deaths each year due to pollution. However, did you know that in fact indoor air polluants are known to be more prone to lead to health hazards than outdoor? The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ranked indoor air pollution among the top five environmental dangers. Market research shows that pollution caused by construction penetrates buildings and thus impacts people’s health.
What is often overlooked is the interaction between paint and indoor air quality, and the importance to carefully select the right paint solution. In the midst of the coronavirus global pandemic, as its consequences continue to unfold, we have a renewed understanding of the significant role the buildings play in promoting public health and wellbeing. Healthy painting is directly correlated to healthier lifestyle. It is known for providing peace of mind during moments of relaxation in your home.
Conventional paints mostly contain of toxic products, and as a result, people are repelled by the smell and often have to wait a few days before being able to habit the room. But even once the smell has passed, other problems remain due to the composition of these paints: certain heavy metals, solvents, petroleum derivatives, etc. These volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are still harmful to our health and environment even when the paint has dried.
On the other hand, eco-friendly paints significantly reduce any harmful impact, and their design is particularly beneficial to the environment. Their manufacture displays a less toxic footprint than conventional paints, and they are completely odorless and are easily applied on all surfaces. Eco-friendly paints are also permeable, letting the walls breathe and yet also creating a perfect finishing and a great lifespan. Contrary to certain common beliefs, being natural doesn’t prevent these paints from delivering a great performance.
Indoor air quality should not be taken lightly, especially in the GCC where people are exposed to high levels of indoor air polluants. This is mainly due to the fact that these countries record high temperatures that force people indoors for many months of the year. Today, the impact of COVID-19 has driven this trend further. Air pollution can cause serious health side effects that can result in respiratory diseases such as asthma or even lung cancer. When it comes to indoor pollutants, the greatest concern are VOCs. The top source of VOC emissions coming second only to vehicles is paint. At high concentrations, these VOCs prove to be very harmful to residents who have been exposed to them for a long time. These VOCs are released into the indoor atmosphere from paints containing solvent. It is the solvent (one of the basic components of all paints), which released into the air pollutes the latter.
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Sensgreen: Is indoor air coronavirus ready?
The UK Public health says that ‘..improving indoor air can be as good as vaccinating 50-60% of the population.’
As the world confronts the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, transmission through air is likely to increase due to the shortfall in ‘Indoor Air Quality’. In an effort to control high morbidities and mortalities caused by the current pandemic, several researches and evidence based studies have been carried out, especially in respect to the indoor environment given we’ve all been forced to spend even more time indoors.
Sensgreen, based on its accumulated expertise in indoor air, has cross-evaluated the literature to shed light on the dilemma of transmission risks of the COVID-19.
Is Indoor Air Coronavirus ready?
The aggressive nature of the disease is directly connected with the transport phenomena of both droplets and aerosols, and the comprehension of such phenomena is vital in controlling the spread of the disease within such confined spaces.
Transmission routes identification is vital for better understanding and controlling its spread. The most common types of respiratory infection causing viruses, including COVID-19, has postulated three main modes in which the virus can be transmitted: aerosol transmission, droplet transmission, and selfinoculation of the nasal mucosa by contaminated hands. Another classification is often referred to as the term of ‘airborne transmission’ to describe the disease spread by small droplet aerosols and droplet nuclei, while the term ‘droplet transmission’ describes infection by large droplet aerosols.
A study by van Doremalen et al., 2020 has reported that SARS-CoV-2 can survive in the air for many hours, causing potential aerosolized transmission.
Aerosol-based transmission of COVID-19 has gained attention and has been recognised globally. Pivotal engineering control such as enhanced ventilation measures can be employed to control the spread of viruses. With improved ventilation and augmented air distribution solutions, the risk of cross-spread of infection from an infected person at a distance more than 1.5m can be minimized.
Coronavirus that ranges from 80-160 nanometer in size, can stay active in the indoor air of confined spaces for nearly 3 hours, and nearly 2-3 days on surfaces within a space. These virus particles are in fact not naked, they are enclosed within the expelled respiratory fluid droplets. These expelled respiratory droplets, which are inhalable, can be suspended in air, and the smaller droplets have the ability to travel in tandem with the airflows in the room, extract air ducts and in supply air ducts when there is recirculation of air.
Although no conclusions have been made on the modes of transmission of viruses via droplets, aerosols and contact, however, globally scientists strongly agree that uncontrolled & low indoor air quality can boost the immediate transmission risk significantly.
Many people are reported to contract the COVID-19 in confined spaces and there have been myriads of hypotheses corroborating that certain threshold levels of humidity, temperature, sunlight, and ventilation will speed up the virus-laden droplet and aerosol transmission, aggravating the spread of the SARS-CoV disease.
There are chances of aerosol transmission during activities such as talking to people at shorter proximity, and similar activities leading to spread of infection without coughing/sneezing . This was first addressed by Japanese authorities, followed by US CDC, UK Government, Italian Government and the China National Health Commission.
Currently, there is sufficient evidence conclusive of aerosol-transmission of the virus.
Studies from superspreading outbreaks have shown that a higher rate of secondary infection was associated with minimally ventilated spaces.
These identified routes can be encountered by maintaining physical distance to avoid close contact, provision of sufficient ventilation and hand hygiene to avoid surface contact contamination.
For long-range aerosol-based transmission of these virus particles, the social distancing norms often fall short.
These can often be countered via concentration control using appropriate ventilation. Moreover, the environmental factors play a major role in transmission payloads of SARS-CoV-2 virus across different geographical locations of outdoor and indoor environments. Other than the parameters of temperature, humidity, pressure and fresh air ventilation, even the short-term exposure to air pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, CO, NO2 and O3) is associated with increased risk of COVID-19 infection. SARSCoV-2 could bind with particulate matter and could be airborne. In an indoor environment, such viral loads primarily become airborne by advective forces propelled by local ventilation patterns and travel further away through diffusion and dispersion processes. (Zhu Y. et al., Association between short-term exposure to air pollution and COVID-19 infection: evidence from China. Sci. Total Environ. 2020)
For example: Maintaining the RH (relative humidity) level between 30% – 40% is proven to slow down the spread of virus, mainly spreading through airborne droplets.
Despite the relatively short period we’ve been experiencing the covid-19 pandemic, there are numerous studies outlining the risk levels of transmission with the indoor air parameters, especially particle levels, distribution of fresh air ventilation and the humidity levels. The slightest increase in the PM (particulate matter) levels is observed to almost double the impact of the pandemic.
Tolga Candan, Regional Director of Sensgreen commented: “Sensgreen applies the latest AIoT (AI & IoT) technologies to the indoor air that we breathe, which is quite important considering we spend 90% of time indoors. Unfortunately, the Indoor Air is 3-5 times more polluted when compared to the outside air, and so far it has only been managed by single parameter “temperature” for achieving comfort levels, neglecting the health and wellbeing parameters (dust, pollen, gases, fresh air distribution, oxygen levels, etc.).“
Hasan Tosun, CEO Sensgreen commented “Our AIoT solutions dynamically measure all key parameters and process the pools of big data for each individual space towards actionable insights to maintain an indoor ambient air as per WHO and ASHRAE standards. Two of our key clients are a large shopping mall with 250 shops covering 80,000 sqm lease area, and a global leader in banking. They have both adopted Sensgreen solutions, quickly and easily, to real-time monitor all the key air parameters, hence run their HVAC more efficiently and also minimize the transmission risks for the welfare of their visitors and employees.”
Tolga Candan added “You cannot improve what you cannot measure! People deserve the 2020’s technologies to be adapted in their buildings as well, regardless how old they are. And it’s not far where people will start choosing which schools to enlist their children or which shopping malls to visit as per their indoor air quality indexes, and we simply cannot turn our backs to people’s demand for a healthy air.”
However, these standards need to be continuously enforced in a strict manner and include stipulations for PM 2.5 given its link to coronavirus related deaths. Hence there is an urgent need for real-time monitoring everywhere to sense the quality of indoor air and give predictions to save us from present and future health problems and diseases.
Ideal Standard introduces new colours for Ipalyss and Connect Air ranges
Ideal Standard introduced a brand new, sophisticated colour palette for Ipalyss vessels and Connect Air mixers, which are a part of their Atelier Collections in collaboration with Italian design studio Palomba Serafini Associati.
The Ipalyss range of vessels is supplied in three configurations: a vessel without overflow, a vessel with overflow, and one with overflow and a deck. The overflow in these vessels has been thoughtfully integrated into the design. The result is a discreet, slotted design that does not compromise the clean lines and minimalism of the piece. In addition to white gloss and white silk, now these vessels are available in 10 different colours including black gloss, black matt, slate grey, concrete, sage, powder, pomegranate, mink, Nude, and Kashmir. These colours add to the contemporary and elegant appeal of the vessels and have the ability to add more character to the bathroom.
Connect Air range of mixers offer a perfect mix of form and function – exquisite design and eco-friendly attributes. The extremely light weight and durable collection, now has introduced four new colours including chrome, silver storm, brushed gold and magnetic grey. The new colour palette can be combined Ideal Standard’s ceramics, to create a bold synergy between shape, material, and colour.
Frederick Trzcinski, marketing and innovation director, MENA, Ideal Standard Gulf, said “Colours have a way of invoking a sense of emotion and reflect the personality of the user. Use of colours are intrinsic to Ideal Standard’s legacy and with the introduction of colours like chrome, powder blue, pomegranate, brushed gold and magnetic grey, we want to give our customers the opportunity to explore and harness their sensibility of colours. We believe these colours combined with our ceramic can build a bridge between the contemporary and the classic.”
Products in the Ipalyss and Connect Air range are especially well suited for demanding environments, such as hotels, offices, restaurants, etc. where an effective combination of aesthetics and durability is of paramount importance. The design maximises available vessel space and supreme water efficiency, resulting in an enhanced user experience.
LG expands the line-up of PuriCare air purifiers with more innovative models
LG Electronics (LG) is introducing an expanded line-up of PuriCare air care solutions to the global market. The full range offers much-needed relief from poor indoor air conditions caused by industrial pollution or local weather phenomena such as dust and sandstorms. With portable battery-operated models, residential models for homes, and solutions designed for larger, commercial spaces, LG’s comprehensive PuriCare series can help create a healthier atmosphere in any setting, any time.
“LG’s 2020 line-up of PuriCare air purifiers was designed to provide consumers world over with clean, healthy air whenever and wherever they need it,” said Dan Song, president of LG Electronics Home Appliance & Air Solution Company. “With today’s heightened awareness of the importance of clean, fresh air, consumers will look to LG to provide trustworthy, credible solutions for their families and I’m confident we are up to the challenge.”
LG’s flagship consumer model, LG PuriCare 360° Air Purifier, is instantly recognisable by its 360-degree fan design which enables the device to refresh and revitalise the air across large areas. The air purifier effortlessly pushes filtered airflow up to a distance of 7.5m via the Clean Booster feature which when powered on, rises and rotates to distribute filtered air throughout the entire room.
LG’s PuriCare line-up also includes the compact yet highly effective PuriCare Mini, a portable solution for clean air anywhere, anytime. Similar in size and weighing about the same as a half-liter plastic bottle of water, the wireless portable air purifier goes anywhere you go, freshening the environment for up to eight hours on a single charge.
LG PuriCare 360° and PuriCare Mini are currently available via online and physical retailers across the UAE, Oman and Bahrain, while the Commercial PuriCare model will be available locally from Q3 2020.
Dyson investigates the effect of lockdown on air pollution
Participants in 14 cities globally, including Dubai, are using Dyson’s air quality backpack to collect air quality data, to generate snapshots of their personal exposure to air pollution during and after lockdown.
Dyson’s air quality backpack, which was developed for a research study with Kings College London and the Greater London Authority, has on-board sensors, a battery pack and GPS, allowing data to be collected on the go. Re-working existing sensing technology used in Dyson air purifiers, engineers designed the portable air monitoring device, engineering it to be smaller, lighter, and more portable, whilst still accurately capturing PM2.5, PM10 and VOC and NO2 exposure.
This initiative comes in line with data being collected in the UAE analysing the lockdown measures put into place to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The country has recorded an average 30 percent drop in nitrogen dioxide(NO2) levels from February 1 to April 30, 2020, according to the UAE’s Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE). As a result, air quality has significantly improved during this period as levels of air pollution decreased due to less vehicle use.
The global project spans three continents and 14 cities, which also include London, New York, Delhi, and Milan. The collected data will be compared with local city air quality sensor data and indoor air quality data from Dyson’s connected purifiers, to develop a picture of the changes in air quality in cities globally throughout this period.
Phase one involved participants wearing the backpack to collect air quality data during lockdown. In line with local government guidelines, participants wore the backpacks during permitted lockdown travel such as visits to the grocery store, daily exercise routines or a key worker’s commute. This data will give us a snapshot of the air quality the participant was exposed to on a typical day in lockdown.
As of recent news, the UAE and Dubai, in particular, has began to gradually ease lockdown measures to restart economic activity. However, residents are still being urged to remain vigilant by staying at home and working remotely wherever possible.
With these restrictions in cities now being lifted, phase two will commence. Participants will then travel with the backpack on the same route they took during lockdown, to build a second snapshop of air pollution exposure outside of the lockdown period. Dyson engineers will compare these two data sets, to better understand the effect of lockdown on the day-to-day air quality exposure of individuals living in cities.
To ensure the accuracy of the outdoor backpack sensor data, readings from Dubai’s monitoring stations will be gathered to further validate the findings. Using anonymised data from its connected purifiers, which amass over 1.9m globally, Dyson will also explore broader trends in indoor air pollution levels during this period.
Alex Knox, Vice President of Environmental Care at Dyson said: “While it has been widely reported that air quality in some cities has improved during the lockdown period, initial data insights from Dyson’s connected purifiers* indicate a small but consistent increase in indoor NO2 and VOC levels in cities during lockdown. It will be interesting to monitor these changes as cities emerge from lockdown status, to further understand the factors that impact both indoor and outdoor air quality.”
The combined data sets will help to give an indication of the effect of lockdown on indoor and outdoor air pollution in cities globally, bolstered by findings from the pre-existing static outdoor air quality sensor network. Available outdoor air quality data from these sources indicate a reduction in NO2 levels in major cities under lockdown, possibly due to the decline in diesel vehicles on the roads as a result of the lockdown restrictions.
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