Understanding Air Improvement
The UK Air Quality Information Archive has this to say on the matter:
Common indoor air pollutants include carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide from faulty gas heaters and cookers, carbon monoxide and benzene from cigarette smoke, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from synthetic furnishings, vinyl flooring and paints. In addition, there are biological pollutants such as dust mites and mould. Since most of us spend 80 to 90% of the time indoors, air quality could have a real bearing on our health.
Air quality is especially serious for the ever increasing numbers of allergy or asthma sufferers in the UK.
Removing pollutants from the air we breathe can be a simple step towards improving our indoor environment. It is straightforward and is common in many other countries where the issue of indoor air pollution is widely recognised.
Modern Living
Our living conditions have improved immeasurably over the past few years. Our houses are nearly all centrally heated now. New building regulations exist to encourage insulation - a sensible thing to do considering how much heat our homes used to lose. We double glaze windows to cut down on heat loss and noise pollution; we have soft furnishings and carpets to ensure we are warmer. All very sensible measures to reduce heat loss and power costs. It does however mean that many of us spend 80 - 90 % of our lives in a sealed and artificially warmed environment. Think of it like that and it’s not so sensible is it?
Why an Air Purifier?
Quite simply, effective air purifiers suck air in via a fan, then pass it through several different levels of filtration and then release it back into the room minus its impurities. The different types of filtration are:
Carbon
Carbon filters are similar to those that are in kitchen extractors. They remove large airborne particles and odours from the air.
HEPA (High Efficiency Particle Arrestance)
HEPA Filters remove 99.97% of miniscule airborne particles of mould and mildew, dust, pollen, pet dander and smoke from the atmosphere, leaving cleaner, fresher air.
If a purifier features both HEPA and carbon filters, as well as removing airborne particles down to 0.3 microns in size (much smaller than the width of a human hair), all odours and fumes are removed as well.
UV & Photo Catalytic
In addition to filtration, some purifiers have additional technology to further combat pollution. UV technology is able to destroy organic pollutants such as mould spores, bacteria or viruses by exposing them to various wavelengths of UV light. Photo Catalytic filters work to deodorise, remove bacteria and deactivate viruses. When light strikes titanium oxide, hydrogen peroxide (H²O²) and hydroxyl radicals (OH) are formed. These 2 substances possess powerful oxidising properties and through mutual interaction they are able to decompose substances into carbon dioxide and water.
Ionisers
Negative ions occur naturally, they and ozone are some of nature’s most powerful air cleansing agents. Most floating contaminates and allergens are positively charged - the negative ions given out by an ioniser are negatively charged. They are attracted magnetically to the positive ones, form clumps and become too dense to remain airborne. Many air purifiers have in built ionisers to make the air not just cleaner but fresher too.
Humidity Levels
We should all be living with relative humidity (RH) of 45-60%. That’s what our bodies need to stay healthy. We don’t tend to notice dry air very much but if we consistently live in a dry environment it can have many effects.
Headaches, dry or sore mouth or throats, dry or sore eyes, nasal stuffiness and skin irritation are just a few of the common symptoms of being in a too dry an environment. Persistently low RH can also increase our susceptibility to colds and respiratory infections.
Skin, scalp and hair will also suffer. When lacking in moisture, skin develops rashes and rough patches, scalps will flake and hair becomes more brittle.
In addition to the health concerns that dry air can cause, it can be very damaging to many of our most treasured items. Books, manuscripts, paintings, furniture (especially antiques) and vinyl records can all be damaged by too much or little humidity in the air.
Once you monitor the RH in your home or office, it is easy to control. A small device called a hygrometer is all you need to measure RH.
What does a Humidifier do?
Quite simply, they replace lost natural moisture in the air. There are two types of humidifier, warm mist or cool mist. They are both equally simple to use, you simply fill the water tank up from your tap, turn on and leave them to work their magic.
Warm Mist
Warm mist humidifiers heat water up and emit steam. They are fantastic for alleviating stuffy noses or congestion - especially when you add a decongestant oil such as Olbas or Karvol. Any parent who has endured sleepless nights listening to babies and toddlers with croup will know how immediate and relieving steam can be - and it's a lot easier and less stressful to put a child to sleep in their cot with a humidifier in the room rather than sitting next to a kettle or hovering over a steaming bath.
Cool Mist
Cool mist humidifiers work in a different way - they emit the water in a steady stream of cool, fresh water vapour. They are completely silent and operate ultrasonically. A metal diaphragm vibrates at an ultrasonic frequency and releases miniscule droplets of water. This can have not just health benefits but also help to keep your treasured possessions in a stable environment.
NScessity and Air Improvement
NScessity was the first company in the UK to introduce air treatment products specifically for nursery use. Since then, our range of air treatment products has grown, we now have a purifier or a humidifier to suit any room in the house. Take a look at the range on our Baby Essentials pages and contact us if you need any help.
It is essential to maintain and clean your humidifier properly. Click here for full instructions.