An enemy to your respiratory health lurks all around you. It is invisible to the naked eye. You may or may not be able to detect it. Yet, it can have profound impacts on your lungs and cancer risk.

It is PM2.5 or particulate matter 2.5 micrometers and smaller. Its size makes it especially harmful since it can enter the deep structures within your lungs, posing the greatest health risks.

Impacts of Particulate Matter

Many sources contribute to air quality and particulate matter pollution. Innocuous sources like fireplaces or recreational fires can release minute particles into the air you breathe. Dust, road debris, factory pollution and exhaust from gas-burning vehicles also add to the mix.

The good news is that PM2.5 levels have dropped since 1990, causing more than 40 percent fewer deaths. Nitrogen oxide emissions have also plummeted 65 percent.

However, the risk still exists for many individuals with respiratory issues. Any pre existing conditions, such as asthma, for example, can be severely aggravated with devastating results when PM2.5 levels are too high. It can also increase the chances of lung cancer developing in otherwise healthy people. Scientists estimate that poor air quality is the cause of 5 percent of global mortality rate.

Evidence also suggests it can affect Covid-19 health outcomes and a greater rate of COPD.

Improving Air Quality

While you can’t control outdoor air pollution, you can take charge of your indoor air quality (IAQ). That can reduce your exposure to PM2.5 and other pollutants that will benefit everyone inside the space.

Letting Fresh Air in

As long as PM2.5 levels aren’t high outside, you can improve your IAQ by opening windows. That will reduce the concentration of harmful particulate matter and gases indoors. Of course, air flow and travel as well as positioning and number of people using and moving through the space all have an impact on how much the quality of air can be improved by opening windows. In the wake of COVID-19, the question facing many, is how to ensure enough good clean air is flowing in and around the space from outside. This problem presents itself in areas where outdoor pollution is high, in winter months when it isn’t always feasible to let cold air in and in spaces where there are too few or no windows.

Going to the Source

The best place to start is with the sources. Making your space smoke-free is an obvious first step. However, that also applies to wood-burning fireplaces, kerosene heaters and candles. They all can contribute to poor IAQ and reduced lung function, too.

Other sources include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from air fresheners, cleaning products, hobby supplies, and wood preservatives.

Reducing the amount of people congregating in any one space at any one time and organising one way systems is a good way to help reduce the spread of viruses and diseases.

Eliminating the Pollutants

The next task is to control what’s already in your space, starting with your HVAC system. Upgrading your air filter with one with a higher Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) can help it perform more efficiently.

It’s imperative to replace your air filter regularly to enjoy the benefits of clean air and reduce the strain on your HVAC system.

A HEPA filter is an excellent addition. These devices can eliminate particulate matter down to 0.3 microns. That’s especially crucial if you have a pre-existing respiratory system.

You’ll find products that will tackle the particulate matter, gases, or both. Either pollutant type can affect your health. It’s imperative to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for maintenance and filter replacement.

A UVC light is an effective way to handle the pathogen front. It has a long history of use for this purpose. Evidence even proves that it eradicates the SARS-CoV-2 virus. There are many things to consider when choosing the right UVC light product for your space. Before purchasing, it is extremely important to do your research and make sure the manufacturer has science based evidence to support the efficiency and safety of their product. UVC can be very dangerous and must be treated with caution. The air must be exposed to the UVC light for a enough time to ensure it works properly. Some UVC products emit ozone can damage the lung function. Relatively low amounts can cause coughing, pain, shortness of breath and irritation. Ozone may also compromise the ability of the body to fight respiratory infections and worsen chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma and COPD.

Final Thoughts

We’ve come a long way in improving indoor air quality. However, challenges still exist. Good respiratory health means taking charge of the things you can change. Increasing the IAQ of your space is an excellent way to begin.

Remember when the previous American president Donald Trump suggested injecting bleach was an effective protection against COVID-19? Comments like this certainly begged belief, and even more shocking, some people took them seriously.

As alarming as some of those comments may have been, it’s undeniable that bleach is an effective germicide and cleaning agent when used correctly – that is, to clean surfaces not be ingested! As we’ve all seen over the past few months, many bleach brands are now including references to COVID-19 in their marketing efforts, claiming that bleach is best for killing coronavirus.

Unsurprisingly, as people desperately tried to ensure their homes were germ-free, worldwide sales of bleach surged at an astronomical rate. Prior to this, the popularity of bleach was on a steady decline as younger generations such as millennials and gen z, tended to seek out healthier and more earth conscious alternatives.

However, the fact remains: bleach is a hazardous chemical. And, if the priority is our health, surely we should be thinking twice before reaching for the bleach?

1. Bleach interacts with other cleaning chemicals

Even though they may not headline bleach on the label, you may be surprised to find out just how many household products contain bleach. Regular tile cleaners, bathroom de-scalers, and stain removers contain bleach. A variety of other common household products like window cleaners, dish soap, and drain cleaners can react adversely with bleach.

One of the most serious reactions is with ammonia, which reacts to form chlorine gas. This can cause life-threatening, irreversible cell damage in the nasal passage and lungs. There is also the potential for chlorine gas to be emitted when bleach interacts with home-spun cleaning solutions, like vinegar.

2. These chemicals can harm the body

Certainly, chemical reactions triggered by bleach pose a significant danger to your health. However, over-use of neat bleach in the household and workplace can also be detrimental. When used as a cleaning agent, bleach stays on surfaces and continues to emit fumes. Primarily, inhaling bleach can damage the lungs, skin and eyes.

If allowed to sit on the skin for long periods, it can cause irritation, burning, and irreversible tissue damage. The over-use of bleach is also particularly dangerous for children. New research has revealed that children who are exposed to bleach in their homes on a regular basis are more likely to have respiratory illnesses.

3. Bleach is extremely damaging to the environment

It may feel like a million years ago but before the coronavirus pandemic hit, there was a huge media focus about caring for our planet. We all watched David Attenborough, among others, explain about how our actions were directly affecting our planet’s health and it felt as though we were starting to take action across the board.

Bleach has harmful effects on the environment as it lingers for several years. Even small amounts can accumulate in air and water over time, which can cause adverse reactions in the body.

Moreover, when deposited in water, bleach reacts with other chemicals to form dioxins. These are highly dangerous toxins that can have serious impacts on human and animal health. For instance, environmental toxins created by bleach have impacted populations of several species of birds and fish.

Being clean is being healthy

The global pandemic has meant we’re more health-conscious than ever. So when it comes to killing coronavirus, is bleach best? It’s effective certainly, but perhaps now as we look towards recovering after the shock, we should be taking a more holistic approach. Plus, bleach only kills germs on surfaces, so we should be considering more comprehensive solutions. Our health is important, so we should see keeping our homes, schools and workplaces safe and hygienic as a multi-faceted project.

Air quality has always been of paramount importance in the workplace, in the wake of COVID-19, it is essential that your team is reassured that they are safe. The air that we breathe can have a huge impact on our health, happiness and productivity. This is why we created Rejuvenair.

Although video calling has come a long way, it will never replace the dynamism and productivity of an in-person working environment. Rejuvenair wants to help the UK get back to work – and to make this possible, we harness the decontaminating power of UVC light.

Rejuvenair air filters work by sucking air through the device and passing it through a HEPA filter and UVC light chamber, which eradicates all known viruses and bacteria. Whereas in the past UVC air filters didn’t have the capacity for an entire office or factory floor, our devices provide a ‘single-pass kill rate’ that is capable of filtering the air four times per hour in a 60m2 space. Furthermore, they provide 9000 hours of constant use at a 99.95% kill rate before the light needs to be inspected or replaced.

Rejuvenair has many unique features. One of the most important is the unmatched quality of UVC light we use inside of the units. Rejuvenair UVC lamps are:

1. Approved for use by NATO 

2. Specified by the MoD for The Royal Navy

3. Endorsed by The Infection Prevention Society

4. Clinically Validated – peer-reviewed & published

5. Successfully tested (most powerful UVC world-wide) by U.S. Homeland Security

No other UVC anywhere in the world can say this. 

As well as offering this superior level of air filtration, Rejuvenair includes an app which constantly communicates with sensors inside of the machine, monitoring effectiveness in real-time, allowing you to check the safety of the air before you enter the building.

This gives building visitors confidence that they are breathing clean air when they enter and allows businesses to track the air quality at their premises.

Rejuvenair is not just an air filtering system in a box, rather, Rejuvenair provides a full and complete air safety service. To install the system, an engineer will conduct a site visit and full air safety risk assessment. From here, they’ll create a bespoke ‘safe air strategy’ for the building’s particular configuration. This assessment includes highlighting key areas of risk, calculating the quantity and position of Rejuvenair machines, and a comprehensive information plan for management and staff. After the assessment, proposal, acceptance and installation, our clients can then access the app for detailed air quality data. Once the units are installed, relevant signage, email communication, regular updates and notifications are provided to ensure that air safety remains at the forefront of people’s minds.

With Rejuvenair, business owners, management, employees and visitors can be confident that the air is safe, clean and hygienic. Alongside what is surely the priority of every business – the health of their staff, customers and visitors – Rejuvenair helps businesses to optimise their operations. With around-the-clock air quality insights, management can construct a clearer picture of building use, maximising efficiency and in turn, reducing costs.

With cutting-edge UVC technology, we can build safer workspaces and with clean, purified air. Nothing will replace working together face-to-face, and with Rejuvenair, we can take active steps towards keeping us at work, now and into the future.

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Disinfecting with light may sound futuristic, but in fact, UVC light has been used to clean water, pharmaceuticals, and surfaces for more than 40 years. Now, the solution is gaining popularity, with hospitals using UVC rays to sterilise equipment and banks using it to cleanse banknotes.

The reason that UVC light is such an effective disinfectant is because of the high frequency of the waves. The shorter the wavelength, the higher the frequency, which makes the waves more intense. As introduced, living organisms are not adapted to cope with UVC waves, and as a result, the rays can severely damage cells.

The intensity of UVC light ‘kills’ pathogens like viruses and bacteria. This ensures that surfaces are 100% germ-free. To date, all known bacteria and viruses respond to UV disinfection, including the novel coronavirus – making UVC light considerably more effective than traditional chemical disinfectants.

Despite UVC light’s remarkable utility it does, of course, need to be handled with care. Due to the damage that UVC rays can do to the human epidermis, it is essential that a building or space is clear before surfaces or objects are treated with UVC light. In the past, this has meant that only small, confined spaces could be cleansed with UV lamps. Alternatively, engineers would have to turn the light off, reposition it, and switch it on again, which tended to be prohibitively inefficient.

Now, engineers can programme robots to track around a space. Today, demand for UVC disinfecting robots is growing exponentially, especially in the healthcare sector. However, these automated systems come with their own challenges. Often, pre-programmed robots will find it difficult to travel into confined spaces or lack the dexterity to reach hidden surfaces.

Certainly, it is crucial that UVC cleansing is as safe and as comprehensive as possible. Furthermore, viruses and bacteria are not only transmitted via surfaces: they are also present in the very air we breathe. So what if we could constantly, discretely, and safely UVC cleanse the air?

Follow Rejuvenair: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rejuvenair-ltd

The health and safety of your staff and customers is a key concern, especially in light of recent events. Now more than ever, the coronavirus crisis has meant that companies are prioritising health and well-being in the workplace. This newfound concern isn’t merely moral – it’s legal. Making workplaces ‘COVID-secure’ is integral to the safe re-opening of the economy planned by the government.

There are some hygiene measures the government and experts all agree on, such as frequent hand-washing, social distancing, and frequent deep cleaning. However, the question of air quality is a little more contested. Although there is clear evidence that coronavirus spreads less easily outdoors or in well-ventilated areas, whether or not the virus is airborne is a contentious issue amongst scientists.

What constitutes an ‘airborne’ virus?

Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, most of us outside of epidemiology would have considered most viral infections like the common cold or flu to be transmitted through the air. However, if there’s one thing this crisis has done, it has made many of us more familiar with the science around how diseases spread.

Up until recently, most scientists have agreed that coronavirus is transmitted through droplets; that is, tiny amounts of fluid spread through coughs and sneezes that survive on surfaces. This is, in fact, the same for most strains of the common cold and influenza.

In contrast, an airborne virus is more like an aerosol. If a person coughs or sneezes, the virus can hang in the air and be inhaled by an unsuspecting individual. One example is chickenpox, and at the nastier end of the spectrum, anthrax.

Is coronavirus airborne?

Of course, the issue with airborne viruses is that they’re trickier to control. Unfortunately, there is more evidence emerging that coronavirus may be airborne. According to an open letter the World Health Organization published recently, <a href=”https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jul/05/who-underplaying-risk-of-airborne-spread-of-covid-19-say-scientists”>”239 scientists from 32 countries called for greater acknowledgement of the role of airborne spread of COVID-19 and the need for governments to implement control measures.”</a>

Although many scientists still insist droplets are the main vector for transmission, this report raises important questions. Even if droplets are the main way the virus spreads, the crisis has made us ask important questions about how we could prevent and/or prepare for another, different global pandemic.

How do you slow the spread of an airborne virus?

Although more challenging, it’s not impossible to stem the spread of airborne contagion. If the airborne transmission of coronavirus is found to be significant, we could see people wearing masks even where social distancing is enforced. Equally, ventilation will be even more important than before. Businesses and public buildings will need to modernise their air conditioning and ventilation systems to minimise re-circulating air, making sure indoor air quality is as high as possible.

A post-COVID-19 world

Although the jury is out on whether or not coronavirus are airborne, the debate has shown that workplaces need to take health measures seriously. Looking to the future, hygiene and air quality in all settings will be paramount – so in the wake of COVID-19, it seems many employers will be erring on the side of caution and investing now.