Clean air holds significant importance.

It is commonly associated that air pollution refers mainly to outdoor environmental factors such as vehicle exhaust fumes, smog, smoke from bushfires, pollution and pollens.

Environmental protection agencies in Australia have worked to improve air quality. With the exception of natural disasters like bushfires, generally, the external air quality is good and there is no need for concern about long-term effects of air pollution.

Indoor air quality in homes and office buildings is also important to consider, as it may pose health risks to occupants.

Exposure to indoor pollutants is prevalent in today’s society, as we spend most of our time inside. Long term exposure to air pollution indoors can be a major source of risk factors towards adverse health effects such as decreased cognitive function in the form of headaches, fatigue and nausea due to the air pollutant concentrations found in the indoor environment of some homes and offices. These pollutants can be either man-made or natural and can affect human health.

Air pollution levels in our indoor environment are affected by natural pollutants like airborne viruses (including influenza and COVID-19), allergens, dust, animal fur, mites, mould, pollen, and bushfire smoke. Man-made culprits such as chemicals in cleaning agents, perfumes and furniture manufacturing also contribute. Cooking appliances like gas stovetops and open fireplaces are additional sources of indoor air pollution.

Exposure to indoor pollution can lead to adverse health effects in both the short and long term.

What are our options for addressing this situation?

Air purifiers used indoors can offer a level of protection against the exposure to air pollutants.

While mechanical ventilation such as opening a window can help. Air purifiers are designed to eliminate pollutants and contaminants from indoor air without letting in outdoor pollutants. They operate by drawing air through filters that capture particles such as dust, pollen, pet dander, and VOC emissions from household products and chemicals, resulting in a cleaner and healthier environment.

Indoor air purifiers are effective in mitigating the harmful effects of indoor air pollution. They are capable of minimising airborne particles, pollutants, and unpleasant odours, thus enhancing the overall quality of the air. With their ability to eliminate contaminants, air purifiers contribute to a cleaner and healthier environment for you and your loved ones.

Here, we are discussing air purifiers that meet certain standards for quality.

The benefits of a HEPA filter.

To improve indoor air quality, it’s important to install an air purifier with a HEPA filter. HEPA filters trap 99.7% of particles in the air that are 0.3 microns or larger. They’re great for reducing indoor air pollution by capturing particles like dust, pet dander, mould spores, smoke, pollen and other dangerous substances. Installing air purifiers with HEPA filters can help lower indoor air pollutant levels, creating a healthier and safer environment.

The Welcare PureAir range includes three air purifiers that feature a HEPA 13 filter, offering high-quality protection against environmental hazards for you and your loved ones.

Can UV light help?

UV technology is effective in reducing airborne viruses, bacteria, and mould spores. Air purifiers commonly use this technology. UV light breaks down the outer walls of bacteria and viruses, making them harmless. This helps in reducing the spread of infectious diseases and illnesses like influenza. The filtered air is then free from contagious pathogens.

The Welcare PureAir range features two air purifiers equipped with UV lights.

The Welcare PureAir Household Air Purifier is a product on the market.

The quality of the air we breathe indoors can affect our wellbeing. The Welcare PureAir Household Air Purifier uses a 6 Stage Air Purification System, including HEPA (H13) filter, UV Light, and photocatalyst technology to purify the air comprehensively. It can eliminate airborne viruses like Influenza (99.99%) and get rid of dust, mould, bacteria, and other pollutants. This air purifier is perfect for people who have pets, allergies, live in areas with bushfire or pollution, or just want a fresh, clean, and healthy home or office environment.

TOP FEATURES:

This air purifier has a 6 stage HEPA (H13) Air Purification system. The first stage is a Pre-Filter that uses a micron mesh filter. It blocks 2.5mm particle matter > 99.9%, preventing contaminants such as dirt, hair, pet fur, dander, and course dust from entering the air purifier. The Pre-Filter protects all the subsequent filters and prolongs their life.

The HEPA (H13) Filter is highly efficient and can remove minor particles as small as 0.3 microns in diameter from the air. This helps prevent the spread of allergens, bacteria, and other harmful substances like pollen, mould spores, smog, and germs.

The Activated Carbon Filter is designed to eliminate household contaminants, including odours, second-hand smoke, and gas pollutants.

The Photocatalyst Filter utilises ultraviolet light to eliminate various pollutants, including formaldehyde, toluene, xylene, ammonia, and TVOC.

An ionizer, also known as an anion generator, generates negative ions to remove airborne pollutants and absorb odours. The negative ions also have the ability to render bacteria harmless by reducing their activity.

The combination of two UV lights and a photocatalyst filter results in effective sterilisation that can eliminate a range of common bacteria and germs.

This air purifier is designed for large areas up to 40-50m², such as an average sized living room of 25m². It effectively filters dust, pollen, smoke, germs, and bacteria while also removing odours. The touch panel display allows for easy operation and the adjustable fan speed has 4 levels controlled by a single button. The timer function offers four settings: 1hr, 4hr, 8hr, and continuous. Additionally, the filter replacement reminder display helps keep important maintenance on track.

The power source is 240V and there are silent and night modes available for low-noise and light operation. The dust sensor and air quality indicator has four colours to indicate the current air quality: blue for perfect, green for good, purple for normal, and red for bad.

The Welcare PureAir Ultraviolet Air Purifier.

The Welcare PureAir Ultraviolet Air Purifier is an effective and affordable solution for improving your indoor air quality. It uses advanced technologies to eliminate harmful airborne particles and promote a healthier environment. The unit features a three-stage filtration system with an ultraviolet/deep UV-C LED light that can sterilise up to 99.95% of bacteria and virus within 30 seconds, including COVID-19. The HEPA (13) filter removes PM2.5 dust, bacteria, allergens, and other pollutants from the air. It’s perfect for pet owners, those with seasonal allergies, or anyone looking for a clean and healthy home or office environment.

This air purifier uses ultraviolet/deep UV-C LED light to kill viruses, including COVID-19. It has a 360-degree air inlet with HEPA (H13) filtration and a 3-stage HEPA (H13) air purification system. The system includes a pre-filter, efficient HEPA (H13) filter, and UV-C LED light to filter dust, pollen, smoke, and bacteria. It also reduces odours and is suitable for areas up to 12m², like a bedroom or office. Users can adjust the fan speed with three levels and set a timer for 1hr-4hr-8hr-continuous operation. The touch panel display makes it easy to operate, and it has a sleep mode, filter replacement reminder display, child lock, low-noise operation, and aromatherapy function. It’s also lightweight.

The inactivation rate of SARS-CoV-2 was tested and found to be 99.95% or higher within a 30-second time frame.

What are the additional benefits of an air purifier?

Allergen Reduction:

Air purifiers are useful for people with allergies or asthma as they can remove common allergens such as pollen, dust mites, and pet dander, resulting in better respiratory health and reduced allergy symptoms.

Asthma Management:

Individuals with asthma have a heightened sensitivity to airborne triggers. The use of air purifiers can aid in the removal of asthma triggers, including dust, mould spores, and smoke particles. As a result, the frequency and severity of asthma attacks may be reduced.

Viruses:

Viruses, such as influenza and COVID-19, can be transmitted through droplets in the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, breathes, or talks. It’s important to note that these droplets can remain in the air for up to an hour. An effective air purifier can help in this situation. However, when the virus particles land on surfaces in the home, handwashing and sanitising are crucial in preventing the spread of the flu.

Odour and Chemical Control:

Air purifiers that come with activated carbon filters have the capability to remove unpleasant smells caused by cooking, smoking, pets, and chemical fumes.

Are air purifiers effective in addressing indoor air quality concerns?

The answer is affirmative, given specific requirements are met.

To effectively remove pet hair, fur, dust and dander, a filter that can capture larger particles is necessary.

A HEPA filter can effectively eliminate dust, pollen, mould, bacteria, and other particles that are not visible to the naked eye, with a minimum removal rate of 99.97% for particles sized 0.3 microns or larger.

The addition of an activated carbon filter can aid in the removal of odours, second hand smoke, and gas pollutants.

Photocatalyst filters and UV treatment can help prevent allergic reactions.

The Welcare range of Air Purifiers include HEPA (H13) filter, UV Light, and photocatalyst technology for complete air purification. Holding the ability to eliminate airborne viruses, such as Influenza, and eliminate dust, mould, bacteria, and other contaminants, making them suitable for individuals who have pets, suffer from allergies, or live in areas prone to bushfires or pollution.

Please view the complete selection of Welcare Air Purifiers available on Smart Wellness here to discover the right indoor air purification system for you.

Sources:

1. https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/indoor-air/index.cfm
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7729884/
3. https://asthma.org.au/blog/air-purifiers-and-asthma/
4. https://news.mit.edu/2011/stop-the-flu-1207
5. https://www.choice.com.au/home-and-living/cooling/air-purifiers/articles/do-air-purifiers-trap-viruses-and-other-germs
6. https://www.choice.com.au/home-and-living/cooling/air-purifiers/buying-guides/air-purifiers