While air pollution is thought to be a problem related to outdoor air, the same pollutants can be found indoors. With the majority of the Australian population spending more than 70% of their lives indoors, indoor air quality has become an increasing influential factor on quality of life.

Modern buildings are designed to be energy efficient so as to maintain temperature, but as a consequence they do not breathe. This allows air pollutants to accumulate inside the building, as they cannot escape. Modern buildings and old buildings alike often leach toxic particles and fumes, from building materials, glues, cements, paints & finishes used in construction.

Sources of indoor air contamination include cigarette smoking indoors, gasses given off from poorly ventilated cooking appliances and heaters, and other materials within the home that emit unhealthy chemicals. These chemicals, some of which are called volatile organic compounds (VOC’s), can cause ill health and they are found in carpets, chipboard, furnishing fabrics, clothing pesticides, cleaning products, toiletries, cosmetics and hobby products.

Levels of indoor air pollution will increase with recently dry cleaned clothing, perfumes & sprays. Perfumes can contain as many as 100 ingredients and are very potent additions to indoor air pollution.

What to look for when purchasing an Air Purifier

One point to consider when choosing an air purifier is how efficient the unit is capable of circulating and purifying the air. If the holes in the filter are too small, it will filter well at first, but at the same time it has a high resistance to rapid airflow. As a result, its purification ability is significantly lower as time goes by and the life span of the filter is shortened.The Zalmandn Air Purifiers have remarkable deodorisation power, high air circulation and collection ability with lower resistance to air, so the high purification can last as long as the filters.

The Zalmandn Air Purifiers have several advantages over competitors Environmentally friendly components Hypo-allergenic filtration media Some of the filters are washable & re-usable, saving you money on replacement cartridges Excellent clean air delivery rate (CADR) Multi-media filtration removes a wider range of contaminants Easy to operate and replace cartridges World 1st patented inbuilt sensor for filter replacement Optional sterilization filter reducing bacteria >99% AHAM certified 3 year warranty    » Click here to see the full range of Zalmandn Air Purifiers «

HEPA vs 3M Technology

HEPA air purifiers use pleated High Efficiency Particle Arresting (HEPA) filters to trap allergens, along with a fan to pull air through the filter. The key advantage of the HEPA filter is the high efficiency in collecting dust and particles in the air. Consequently many air purifiers are promoted as having a HEPA filter, but the use of HEPA filters does not guarantee efficiency. With the introduction of the 3M filter technology in the Zalmandn range, the efficiency of the filter by 3M Technologies absolutely competitive with the high quality end of the HEPA filter products – just check the CADR to confirm.

The key advantages of the 3M filter technology are:

1. Environmentally friendly
2. Higher efficiency for dust collection
3. Higher ventilation power – less air flow resistance
4. Compatible to produce a multi-media filter for a wider range of contaminant removal

Sick Building Syndrome

The term "sick building syndrome" (SBS) is used to describe situations in which
building occupants experience acute health and comfort effects that appear to be linked
to time spent in a building, but no specific illness or cause can be identified. The complaints
may be localized in a particular room or zone, or may be widespread throughout the building.
The following have been cited causes of or contributing factors to sick building syndrome…

• Inadequate ventilation: Inadequate ventilation, which may occur if heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems do not effectively distribute air to people in the building.
• Chemical contaminants from indoor sources: Most indoor air pollution comes from sources inside the building. For example, adhesives, carpeting, upholstery, manufactured wood products, copy machines, pesticides, and cleaning agents may emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including formaldehyde.
• Environmental tobacco smoke: contributes high levels of VOCs, other toxic compounds, and respirable particulate matter. Research shows that some VOCs can cause chronic and acute health effects at high concentrations, and some are known carcinogens. Low to moderate levels of multiple VOCs may also produce acute reactions. Combustion products such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, as well as respirable particles, can come from unvented kerosene and gas space heaters, wood stoves, fireplaces and gas stoves.
• Chemical contaminants from outdoor sources: The outdoor air that enters a building can be a source of indoor air pollution. For example, pollutants from motor vehicle exhausts; plumbing vents, and building exhausts (e.g., bathrooms and kitchens) can enter the building through poorly located air intake vents, windows, and other openings. In addition, combustion products can enter a building from a nearby service station.

Chemical Cocktail

All of these pollutants present together within any indoor environment are a ‘chemical cocktail’ the result of which is called ‘sick building syndrome’. Long periods of exposure to the ‘chemical cocktail’ can cause a large range of health problems. Below is a table of common indoor air contaminants…

Test Results for Collection Efficiency of 3M Electrostatic Collection Filter

Click Here for a Glossery of Terms

Reference

UNITED STATES. Environmental Protection Agency. Introduction to Indoor Air Quality. EPA/400/3-91/002. July 1991.
Ó ASEHA Qld Inc. PO Box 45 Woody Point Qld 4019