CLEAN AIR FACTS
Clean Air Facts: How Indoor Pollution Is Quietly Damaging Your Heart and Brain
Poor indoor air quality and the rise in heart-related disabilities
The American Heart Association (AHA) recognizes that poor indoor air quality can have detrimental effects on cardiovascular health. By analyzing nearly 30 years of death and disability data, researchers established a direct link between exposure to PM2.5 particle pollution and increased stroke and heart disease-related disabilities.
Source: Personal-Level Protective Actions Against Particulate Matter Air Pollution Exposure: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association: Personal Exposure Mitigation Strategies; November 5, 2020
Global Burden of Disease 2019; Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center of the Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Institute
The effect of particle sizes on our respiratory well-being
Airborne particles and pathogens with an aerodynamic diameter of 10 microns deposit in the nose and pharynx of our respiratory system.
According to the EPA, PM2.5 particles are of particular concern due to their ability to penetrate deep into the respiratory system and potentially cause or exacerbate respiratory and cardiovascular health issues.
Particles smaller or equal to 1 micron find their way through the cell membranes of the alveoli into our bloodstream.
Source: www.epa.gov/pm-pollution/health-and-environmental-effects-particulate-matter-pm
Particle Pollution and Your Health (PDF)
PM2.5 fine particles pose the greatest health risk
The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially recognized the critical significance of PM2.5 particles and their impact on human health. PM2.5 refers to particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or smaller and can remain suspended in the air for extended periods.
Source: EPA.gov; WHO Global Air Quality Guidelines, 2021
On average, we inhale more than 20,000 gallons of air every week.
That’s enough to fill a typical backyard swimming pool.
Source: NASA.gov
Indoor air quality is often 2–5× and sometimes up to 100× worse than outdoor air quality.
Particulate matter varies widely, place to place, and season to season.
Source: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); EPA.gov
Studies show that investing in better indoor air quality improves focus, concentration, and productivity.
Source: Harvard University Study (2015)
The World Health Organization recently updated its Air Quality Guidelines after 15 years
lowering acceptable long-term exposure levels of PM2.5 by 50%.
Source: WHO Global Air Quality Guidelines, 2021
PM2.5 exposure linked to elevated risk of neurological disorders
A recent analysis has revealed a notable correlation between extended PM2.5 exposure and heightened risks for conditions such as dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, ASD, and Parkinson’s disease.
Source: NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information)
Airborne transmission of respiratory viruses
Clear evidence confirms the airborne spread of respiratory viruses such as SARS-CoV, MERS, influenza, and RSV are transmitted through inhalation at short and long distances while lingering in the breathing zone for more than 41 hours.
Source: Science.org, Vol. 373, No. 6558; CDC