The air inside your home or office can contain up to 5 times more air pollution than the outdoors. Studies show that indoor air pollutants are responsible for half of all illnesses. Cleaning the air in your home and office can provide the solution to these invisible problems!
Air Purification is made easy with a Fellowes® Air Purifiers that can safely remove 99.97% of airborne pollutants, as small as 0.3 microns using a 4 stage Purification System. As well as this there are many other ways in which you can help to reduce the amount of air pollutants in your home and Office. Click here for more tips.
Common Pollutants In The Air
Viruses
A cubic metre of air may contain 15,000 flu viruses.† Research from Fellowes shows that more than one-third of Europeans reported that they felt they should go to work even when sick.* Thus polluting the clean air around the office with their germs and viruses.
Floating Dust
Just 437 grains of dust contain nearly 42,000 living dust mites. Each mite is expelling 20 fecal pellets every day into the air you breathe.
Allergens
Almost anything can be an allergen for someone. The most common allergens are pollen, house dust mites and moulds* An allergy to these substances can cause anything from a runny nose, itchy eyes and palate to skin rash. It aggravates the sense of smell, sight, taste and touch causing irritation.
Office Chemicals (toner, inks, etc)
Odours from felt markers, inks, glues, correction fluid, toner from printers and other office chemicals can emit vapours at room temperature that over time, can cause symptoms similar to inhaling formaldehyde.
Pet Dander
An estimated 10% to 15% of the population may be allergic to animals. Short-haired or hairless animals contribute dander and allergens to indoor air pollution just as effectively as long-haired animals do. There is no such thing as a non-allergenic dog or cat.
Where these airborne pollutants can be found in your home and/or office:
Air Vents
Central air conditioning systems can become breeding grounds for mould, mildew and other sources of germs such as viruses and bacteria, which can then distribute these contaminants throughout a home office or any office.
Furniture
Formaldehyde is found in office furniture, particleboard, plywood, and many other products. As it deteriorates, formaldehyde gives off vapours that can cause sensitisation and irritation of the eyes and respiratory system, even at low levels.
Upholstery
Upholstered chairs contain dust mites which worsen asthma symptoms or allergies. These dust particles are released into the air anytime someone sits down.
Carpet
Carpet can hold 8 times its weight in dirt, pesticides and other toxins (such as automotive fluids from car parks and lawn pesticides) brought in on shoes and even bare feet. When dry, these toxins become undetectable airborne particles.
Wood Floors
Engineered wood flooring often uses adhesives containing formaldehyde which eventually becomes airborne chemical vapours.
Desk Bacteria
The average desk has 100 times more bacteria than a kitchen. Eating at your desk whether it be a snack, lunchtime meal or simply a cup of coffee, increases the bacteria levels at your desk. You can also keep your workspace.
Sources*
*Environmental Protection Agency,
†Journal of the Royal Society Interface
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
American Lung Association, World Health Organisation
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
Allergy UK
European Lung Foundation
