What is in the air?
In winters, there are more of the smallest particles, PM1, in the air. This is because most particles of that size come from combustion, such as exhaust fumes from traffic and emissions from heating plants. PM1 particles are the particles that pose the greatest health risk as the human body has no natural defence against them, the smaller the particles the greater the risk. These particles can pass into the bloodstream and reach critical organs. The pollution levels differ depending on your surrounding environment, ie where the property is located. For example, metropolitan environments and some industrial areas are often more vulnerable than others. However, air pollutants can be transported long distances in the air, for example, the volcanic eruption in Iceland in 2010 was the reason why air traffic was halted in many places throughout the world. In a similar way, we spread viruses and bacteria in the distance when we cough or sneeze. These pathogens can float around in the air for several hours and increase the risk of us inhaling them and getting sick. Humidity also plays an important role in this case and affects both the spread of the particles and our susceptibility to infection as our mucous membranes are greatly affected by the moisture content. The moisture also affects the weight of the particles, which determines how long the particles float in the air. Simply put, the drier the air, the longer the particles will float.
How can the indoor environment be improved?
Fortunately, we can influence our indoor air with simple measures. As a first step, it is important to ensure that the property's ventilation solution is functional and in good condition. This is done by checking that the system is serviced, the filter has the correct filter class, is replaced at the correct interval, and maintenance protocol has been performed. Remember that proper air filtration is the only thing that protects us from harmful pollutants. Camfil recommends ePM1 60% for the supply air filter as a minimum filter class. Many of our customers in urban environments have also started using our combination filters with carbon to reduce exhaust gases and other
molecular pollutants.
Feel free to get help from your local ventilation company to review your entire ventilation and get suggestions for improvements or
contact Camfil Care.
The air we breathe has never been more important!
There is a great opportunity for all of us here to make a difference, but we have to create awareness about the importance of indoor air quality and use the right solutions to make the environment better. Camfil as an industry expert believes that clean air should be a human right and our team is passionate about educating the community about the influence of clean air and how it affects our human body, process and the environment. It is important that we take responsibility and create the best indoor environment we can.
At Camfil, we work actively to constantly develop efficient and sustainable products to serve humans and our planet. Read more about our teamwork here. Let's work together for better health and a greener planet.
Sources:
European Public Health Alliance, “Coronavirus threat greater for polluted cities”, 2020 (downloaded November 2021)
Scientific reports ” Long-distance airborne dispersal of SARS-CoV-2 in COVID-19 wards”, 2020, (hämtad November 2021)
Jakob Löndahl, Docent i Aerosolteknologi vid Lunds Universitet, Camfils Webbinar 24 November, 2020
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