Why purify the air?

It’s a fact: we spend about90% of our time indoors (at home, at work, on publictransportation, etc.). It’s important to know that the air we breathe indoors is, on average,eight times more polluted than outdoor air.

This indoor pollution is responsible for many health issues that can affect us in our daily lives, such as:

• Respiratory allergies (dust mites, pollen, pet dander, etc.)
• Irritation and dryness in the eyes, throat, and nose…
• Asthma
• Chronic bronchitis
• Allergic rhinitis
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Difficulty concentrating

Improving indoor air quality is therefore a priority. Cleaner air helps reduce the spread of viruses and absenteeism rates in the workplace (especially during peak winter illness seasons). For more information on the impact of pollution on businesses, read our article on thesocial risks associated with air quality

The most common pollutants found in the air at your workplace

Indoor air pollution has two main causes: indoor pollutants and pollutants that come from outdoor air.

Internal pollutants:

• Viruses and bacteria—including the flu, gastroenteritis, coughs, and the common cold—start to appear in the fall or linger throughout the winter. That is why limiting the spread of viruses within the workplace effectively reduces absenteeism by cutting down on sick leave and improves productivity.
• Particles: More and more people are finding particles (coarse and fine particles)—such as dust, sanding dust, pet dander, human hair, and pollen—to be a nuisance. These particles are often the cause of allergies (such as dust allergies and pollen allergies). Treat yourself to a pleasant and healthy workspace where you feel comfortable, and protect your employees who are most sensitive to air quality (those with asthma or allergies) by purifying the air in your workplace.
• Volatile Organic Compounds: Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are gases and vapors that contain carbon. They are used in many professional sectors, particularly in industrial processes involving solvents (paints, adhesives, varnishes, inks, surface treatments, degreasing, dry cleaning, rubber, etc.), or are found in numerous building renovation materials and products, such as benzene (in paints, solvents), toluene (in paints, thinners, varnishes, adhesives, and sealants), or formaldehyde (in adhesives for particleboard, fabrics, office furniture, glues and adhesives, paints, and coatings).
• The effects of VOCs vary widely. They range from unpleasant odors to devastating carcinogenic effects, including various irritations and reduced respiratory capacity. It should also be noted that VOCs have a direct harmful impact on the environment.

Sources of outdoor pollution

• Diesel particulates: Diesel engines release fine particulates classified as PM10 (particles with a diameter of less than 10 microns) into the air. These particulates are one of the main health risks associated with urban air pollution. In 2012, the World Health Organization (WHO) identified them as a cause of several types of lung cancer. They also cause other lung diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In fact, the finer they are, the more harmful airborne particles become, penetrating deep into the bronchi and causing inflammation. There are also significant cardiovascular risks (angina, heart attack, arrhythmias, etc.), which are caused by very fine particles passing through the bronchial walls and into the bloodstream. This leads to blood thickening, which increases the risk of clotting.
• Industrial pollution: Depending on the location of your facility, you may be affected by pollution generated by local polluting businesses. So-called industrial pollution can manifest as the release of smoke (primarily from factories) containing toxic acidic gases that fall with the rain, as well as emissions of CO² (carbon dioxide) and CO (carbon monoxide), etc. By purifying the indoor air in your facilities, you also protect your employees from the pollution emitted by the industrial businesses around you.