Air quality-related sicknesses kill 7 million people globally every year. And now a recent study published in Cardiovascular Research estimates that about 15% of deaths worldwide from COVID-19 could be attributed to long-term exposure to air pollution. In Europe the proportion was about 19%, in North America it was 17%, and in East Asia about 27%.
The European Public Health Alliance has warned that people living in polluted cities are more at risk from COVID-19, because air pollution can cause asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. COVID-19 has more serious consequences on patients with pre-existing health issues that are in many cases caused by air pollution.
While quarantine orders around the world in the face of the pandemic have helped improve the air quality outside, it has increased the threat posed by indoor air pollution which in many places is worse than the outdoor air quality. During lockdowns people are spending more time indoors than ever, and hence it’s important to pay attention to the factors that increase the amount of particulate matter indoors. This includes smoking, burning candles, cooking fumes, exposure to mould, dust, and other volatile organic compounds, and using strong chemicals to sanitise surfaces. While your house may look clean because you dust and clean it every day, chances are it still has a very high concentration of pollutants and allergens.
Also, as economic activity resumes in many countries, and people are tentatively headed back to office buildings and other enclosed public spaces, they are still faced with the threat of aerosol transmission in closed spaces. According to the Centre of Diseases Control (CDC), SARS-CoV-2 viral particles spread between people more readily indoors than outdoors.
Managing indoor air quality is an important aspect of any health protection and recovery plans. This is reflected in the guidance from the World Health Organisation (WHO) on managing aerosol transmission, which recommends implementing high-quality air filtration, which could reduce infection risk by up to 47%.
The pandemic has enforced a new set of behaviours in us. Maintaining social distance, masking up, frequent hand washing, and sanitising is now a part of our daily lives. If you already haven’t, it may be time to buy an air purifier for your home to add to an additional layer of protection.
Pick the right air purifier for your home
Every home is different, and the needs of each family vary depending on factors such as health requirements, pets, size of the home and its location, and sensitivity of the residents to allergens. Some points to consider:
- Size and Space
An air purifier has to be the right fit for the room space. The best way of going about it is to match the size of your room and the coverage area of each purifier. Buying one that is too small for your room will mean that the purifier will be unable to clean the air completely
- Filters
These are the heart and soul of any air purifier. Ensure that the layers of filters are the correct ones that effectively clean the air of particulates. Choose the type of filtration you need paying particular attention to specific contaminants. The quality of filters defines the performance of an air purifier for homes.
- Particle Removal Rate
Choose an air purifier with a high enough particle removal rate for the room. Airborne particulates are small enough to be suspended in the atmosphere and may be a complex mixture of organic and inorganic substances. Airborne particulates include dust, dirt, soot, smoke, and liquid droplets emitted into the air.
- Noise
Make sure you can live with the air purifier. This can be important if you spend a lot of time in the same room with the air purifier. In general, an air purifier with a noise rating of 50 decibels is appropriate for most living spaces.
To combat the growing challenges of indoor air pollution and its impact on health, direct selling company QNET launched the HomePure Zayn last year with a 5-Stage Purification System. Developed in Switzerland, manufactured in South Korea, and certified by the European Centre for Allergy Research Foundation (ECARF) and Intertek USA, HomePure Zayn combines the power of HPP+ Electrostatic, Ultraviolet (UV) Light, and an Ultra Plasma Ion Filter to form a powerful deterrent to bad indoor air quality. The HomePure Zayn protects indoor living spaces from 99.8% of airborne particulates, allergens, viruses, bacteria, moulds, fungi, bad odour, and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC).
5-Stage Purification System
- Stage 1 of the HomePure Zayn Purification System contains the prefilter, which is responsible for removing large particles such as dust, pet dander, and pollen.
- Stage 2 contains an Ultra-Plasma Ion Filter that dissolves and eliminates over 99% of viruses, bacteria, and germs in the air, as well as converts contaminants into safe H2O.
- Stage 3 utilises a HPP+ Filter that works to eliminate airborne particulates as small as 0.1 microns, microscopic organisms, viruses, bacteria, fungus, moulds, and dust mites. The filter also removes toxic vapours and other harmful gasses such as VOCs, formaldehyde, and carbon monoxide from the air.
- Stage 4 comprises of an Activated Carbon Filter, which primarily functions to purify and eliminate unpleasant odours, gasses, and vapours in the area.
- Stage 5 contains a UV Light that serves to eliminate germs, bacteria, and viruses that have not been dissolved by the ultra-plasma ion filter. The UV light contains excellent antibacterial capabilities and is safe for the human body.
HomePure Zayn covers an area of about 36 square metres, which is roughly the size of a one-bedroom apartment, making this an ideal companion for living spaces. Another unique feature that differentiates the Zayn from other air purifiers in the market is that it boasts an Electromagnetic Field (EMF) protection feature using an embedded Amezcua Card that protects users from the harmful effects of electromagnetic radiation from electronic devices.
HomePure Zayn is also very quiet and unintrusive. The noise level ranges between 30.6 dB(A) to 49.7 dB(A) depending on the speed settings. To put this in context, a modern refrigerator produces about 50 dB(A) when it is running.
HomePure Zayn is part of international e-commerce based direct selling company QNET’s Home & Living range of products. This range also includes the popular HomePure Nova water filter, boasting a 9-Stage Filtration System certified by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) International and Water Quality Association (WQA).
About QNET
QNET is one of Asia’s leading e-commerce based direct selling companies offering a wide range of health, wellness and lifestyle products that enable people to lead better lives. QNET’s business model pivoted upon technology and e-commerce has helped empower millions of entrepreneurs in more than 100 countries worldwide.
QNET is headquartered in Hong Kong and has a presence in more than 25 countries around the world through subsidiaries, branch offices, agency partnerships, and franchisees. QNET is a member of the Direct Selling Association in several countries, as well as the Hong Kong Health Food Association and the Health Supplements Industry Association of Singapore, among others. QNET is also active in sports sponsorships around the world. Some of the more prominent partnerships include being the Direct Selling Partner of Manchester City Football Club and the African Club League Championships of CAF. For more information, please visit QNET’s website at www.qnet.net.